The Media Council for Self-Regulation strongly condemns the latest attempt to intimidate journalists and media by Special State Prosecutor Miloš Šoškić. Just a few months after labeling the respected journalist and writer Milorad Popović as being under the influence of a criminal organization, Prosecutor Šoškić has once again directly targeted Pobjeda and journalist Draško Đuranović.
The commanding and ultimatum-like tone of the letter sent to Pobjeda demonstrates the prosecutor’s intent to intimidate both the media outlet and journalist Đuranović, aiming to halt their reporting about him.
From the developments over recent months in the interaction between the Special Prosecutor’s Office and journalists/media, it is clear that there is a deliberate intention to criminalize journalists and certain media outlets in order to intimidate and prevent them from carrying out their work. Perhaps not entirely, but at least enough to stop reporting on Prosecutor Šoškić, who is attempting, by force, to retaliate against media coverage about him.
It is unprecedented in the last twenty years that a state institution has directly and openly threatened journalists and media in such a manner. Perhaps it is high time that someone intervenes to stop these dangerous intentions before media freedom and freedom of expression are trampled and crushed by local state authorities.
Ranko Vujović
Executive Secretary
Media Council for Self-Regulation
