17 October 2008

Alert

Macedonian journalists briefly detained while covering protest against army training site near Greek-Macedonian border


Incident details

Goran Momiroski, Meri Jordanovska

journalist(s)

detained
(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 15 October 2008 press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

SEEMO PRESS RELEASE: GREECE

IPI/SEEMO Expresses Its Concern at the Recent Detainment of Journalists in Greece

Vienna, 15 October 2008

The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists from South East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), is alarmed at recent restrictions on reporters' ability to freely carry out their work in Greece.

According to information before SEEMO, four journalists from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia/Republic of Macedonia, Goran Momiroski of A1 TV, Meri Jordanovska of Nova Makedonija newspaper, and two other crew members of A1 TV, were arrested in the afternoon of 13 October 2008 by Greek authorities. The journalists had intended to cover a protest against a disputed army training site and gunfire exercises by the Greek Army in the village of Lofi, near the Greek-Macedonian border.

Despite carrying valid press cards and visas for Greece, the media representatives were detained because they did not have a special filming license and requested to hand over the material they had gathered at the demonstration. After their release, a police escort strongly advised them not to talk to eye witnesses of the protest and eventually escorted them to the border.

SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic voiced his concern over this clear infringement of the free movement and freedom of expression of journalists and hoped the Greek authorities will adopt strong measures against such interference with media efforts to report on a story of public interest.



Source:

Putting free expression issues in perspective.

Sign up to receive IFEX In Context.

At a glance

Greece
Greece
 
Key reports and information
  • Press Freedom Index 2011-2012: Greece

    Economic crises heightens fragility of media, while journalists covering protests work in conditions resembling "war zones"

    Reporters Without Borders 26 January 2012

 
IFEX is a global network of committed organisations working to defend and promote free expression.
Permission is granted for material on this website to be reproduced or republished in whole or in part provided the source member and/or IFEX is cited with a link to the original item.