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Alerts - 2012 - Balkans

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Serbia

ANEM media monitoring report shows increased pressure on media during electoral campaign

The report also looked at the process of media privatization in Serbia as well as implementation of the broadcasting law.

Greece

TV journalist attacked, injured

"They had me on the ground and were beating me. . . I can say with absolute certainty that they knew I was a journalist," said Konstantinos Bogdanos, who sustained a head injury and broken hand in the attack.

Kosovo (Serbia)

Draft criminal code undermines media freedom

President Atifete Jahjaga returned the draft criminal code to the National Assembly for reconsideration on May 8, 2012, after it was sent to her for her final approval. The president’s decision followed widespread criticism of the draft code by journalists.

Montenegro

Journalist sentenced to jail for libel

In July 2011, a few months after Petar Komnenic's original conviction, the government passed a law decriminalizing libel and making it a matter of civil litigation.

Greece

Riot police deliberately attack journalists covering street demonstrations

Photographer Marios Lolos was hit on the head by riot police and underwent emergency surgery to his skull as a result.

Albania

Journalist charged with slander despite defamation reforms

Journalist Lindita Cela now faces up to two years in prison for criminal slander, despite the recent parliamentary vote to abolish prison sentences for defamation.

Serbia

ANEM condemns administrative harassment of radio station in Zajecar

The editor of a radio station who is running for local office says his opponents have bullied the station's employees and shut down its radio signal; caught in the middle is the public's right to information.

Kosovo (Serbia)

Kosovo journalists receive threatening phone calls

IPI is calling for a police investigation after someone called the Pristina-based daily "Express" and threatened to bomb its offices.

Serbia

IPI observes increasing pressure on local journalists

The alleged incidents represent only a fraction of the pressures on reporters, SEEMO said, as many reporters do not report what they must go through on a daily basis.

Montenegro

IPI condemns physical attack on journalist Olivera Lakic

This was not the first time that Lakic had been threatened. In February 2011, she reported on illegal labelling of tobacco products. Both she and her family received threats. Two men are currently on trial for threatening her.

Albania

IPI welcomes defamation reform, presses for full decriminalisation

The penal code amendments include the abolishment of imprisonment as well as the involvement of the public prosecutor in defamation cases.

Macedonia

Draconian media bill would restrict access for foreign correspondents

Among the more disputed articles of the proposed bill, article 18 bans foreign correspondents from “gathering personal opinions and data from citizens by means of investigation.”

Serbia

ANEM condemns attack on Studio B television crew

Charges were laid against the individual who verbally attacked a Studio B crew and struck an assistant cameraman in the head and stomach.

Greece

IPI hopes court of appeal will reconsider excessive fines against two weekly Turkish papers

The fines against "Gundum" and "Millet" are so high that if convicted, the papers will be forced to close and the journalists might end up in prison.

Croatia

IPI calls for professionalisation of public broadcaster

As has been the case in most post-communist countries, the process of transforming state television channels into public broadcasters has been slow and difficult in the country.

Kosovo (Serbia)

Police allegedly assault reporter

Vedat Xhymshiti was covering clashes between demonstrators and Kosovo police near the Merdare border crossing between Serbia and Kosovo, when he was allegedly struck by policemen and lost consciousness.