Murdered journalist described as great professional

Murdered journalist described as great professional

Matić made the comments as he was taking part in a panel discussion at the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Serbia, when he said the Commission, when it began to deal with this murder, analyzed his articles and their topics in order to discover the motives.

"We live in an age when anniversaries of murders of journalists are marked by associations issuing statements, the state saying it will do something, and nothing ever happens," Matić said, adding that this was the reason why he wanted to make a step forward, "assuming that it is possible to make a serious breakthrough."

Matić pointed out that the investigation of this crime went through seven different working groups, and that he believed the crime could not be solved in this way, as it was "more designed to deceive the public than was a sincere and earnest desire to do something."

In Serbia, there is a great lack of optimism, an open view of life, and 95 percent of public employees are absolute pessimists, he said.

Speaking about the TV show Insajder ("Insider"), Matić said that he "would not wish on anyone what had happened and what is happening to Brankica Stanković for the last five years."

Matić explained that, when joining B92, which this year celebrates 25 years since it was founded, "it must be expected that something like that could happen to anyone, and when it does, then it's some kind of shock."

He added that credibility is easier to acquire than to preserve, and that during the rule of Slobodan Milošević it was easier because there was one man and one repressive apparatus that reacted predictably, while during the time of democratization "that has become more complex, as there are all sorts of dangers."

Insajder's editor Brankica Stanković also took part in the discussion to stress that journalists have a great responsibility - "because if they publish some information, but do not have the evidence, they become responsible for the fate of those they write about."

She described the lack of understanding encountered when the investigative program started airing on B92 TV. "Our first episode passed in such a way that none of the editors knew exactly what we were doing. When it came to the topic of the assassination of prime minister (Zoran Đinđić) there was a media blackout and we decided to do a show about it. After the reactions, of which there were many, we knew we had done something after which there is no return," explained Stanković.

She added that she did not meet with understanding from then editors of B92's news desk, "who fell for the reporting of the tabloids and issued retractions to things that the program did not even publish."

"Most of the editors of that time were not on our side," underlined Stanković, noting that the key was to support of Veran Matić, who stood behind the show.

Stanković admitted that she was thinking about quitting in 2005, which was a turning point. "I experienced shock because of something that happened just because I did my job responsibly," she said.

Stanković noted that after this, she did not give up, even when she was assigned security. She also explained that she did not leave the country either, even though she had and still has many opportunities. Stanković said that this is because she felt she created something that is not finished, and because she believes she is in the business that can change things.

In this context, the journalist announced that the investigative program would expand to the region.