Ambassadors voice support for B92

The OSCE in Serbia today organized a visit to B92 of a group of ambassadors, deputy heads of missions and diplomatic representatives. The diplomats included those from the embassies of the United States, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Israel, members of the Delegation of the European Union, Council of Europe and the OSCE, and Serbian Minister of Culture Nebojsa Bradic. Ambassadors voice support for B92 Their aim was to receive information on the pressure and threats B92 journalists have been faced with during the past month, since the airing of the B92 TV Insajder (Insider) investigative program exploring the links between hooliganism and crime. The ambassadors pointed out that this was a selected delegation as more of their colleagues were willing to join them. B92 Editor-in-Chief Veran Matic and Insajder author Brankica Stankovic welcomed the diplomats and officials and informed them about the most important events and problems pertaining to the freedom of speech and exposure to constant brutal threats, as well as working under limiting conditions, including police protection which if extended to a long period of time, "abrogates free flow of information". They pointed out that the reaction of the state bodies and institutions was still inappropriate, while the proceedings take place according to the consequences, without treating the causes, "thus making all of us the prisoners in the hands of hooligans as long as they are not faced with criminal charges and convicted accordingly for their violent actions and promotion of violence and hate speech", a statement from B92 says. French Ambassador Jean Francois Terral said that the issue at hand is "quite simple", explaining that police should arrest the perpetrators, the Prosecutor’s Office should press criminal charges against them, while the courts should finally bring them to justice. Charge d’affaires at the U.S. embassy in Belgrade, Jennifer Brush, passed on their support to investigative journalism and free media, and expressed concern of the United States about the recent threats leveled at Stankovic and other members of the Insajder team, concluding that attacks and threats to journalists "cannot and must not be tolerated". Deputy Head of Mission in the British embassy Bill Longhurst said that his country had recovered from a painful experience with hooligan groups, resolving this problem by taking radical measures. He concluded that, however, they were faced with an easier situation, as those groups were not politically influenced or backed by political parties. Head of Delegation of the EC Vincent Degert pointed out that this mission will offer its full support through funding programs and media companies devoted to investigative and unbiased journalism. Deputy Head of Mission of the OSCE Mission to Serbia Thomas Moore expressed deep concern over the threats made against Stankovic, pointing out that resolving such problems is significant for the welfare of the whole society in general. “We are deeply concerned over the threats directed at journalist Brankica Stankovic. At the same time, we are glad that the government and other state institutions had taken those threats seriously, as we regard the issues raised in this case quite important, not only for the media freedom in Serbia, but also for the soundness of the Serbian democracy in general." Expressing his gratitude for their visit and support, Veran Matic emphasized that according to the experience B92 has had so far, it is necessary to implement a kind of “temporary limited state of emergency” in the sport disciplines which proved to be problematic, followed by dismissal of managements of those clubs that are not able to deal with the problems as they established links with those fan groups, which had become integral part of club’s management. "Imposed management structures placed by the government will be in effect until those responsible for crimes are convicted, and until their relations with the fan groups are being severed. All sponsors must disrupt sponsorship contracts with the clubs which allow hate speech, violent and primitive messages to be present on the matches they organize, and if something like this happens again, sports matches should be closed for audience." "Special attention should be paid to the work and efficiency of courts in prosecuting all criminal charges currently abandoned under suspicious circumstances. Punishment policy should be more severe and implemented without any exceptions, in urgent procedures. Only in this way should we get rid of those problems for good, as such incidents often move from sports stadiums to the streets and into politics, causing further destabilization of our country," said he. The diplomats offered their full support for the investigative, unbiased and professional journalism to which B92 is deeply devoted, which in turn represents a backbone of democratic changes, EU integration and fight for human rights protection, the statement concludes. Jean Francois Terral (Tanjug)

Ambassadors voice support for B92

Their aim was to receive information on the pressure and threats B92 journalists have been faced with during the past month, since the airing of the B92 TV Insajder (Insider) investigative program exploring the links between hooliganism and crime.

The ambassadors pointed out that this was a selected delegation as more of their colleagues were willing to join them.

B92 Editor-in-Chief Veran Matić and Insajder author Brankica Stanković welcomed the diplomats and officials and informed them about the most important events and problems pertaining to the freedom of speech and exposure to constant brutal threats, as well as working under limiting conditions, including police protection which if extended to a long period of time, "abrogates free flow of information".

They pointed out that the reaction of the state bodies and institutions was still inappropriate, while the proceedings take place according to the consequences, without treating the causes, "thus making all of us the prisoners in the hands of hooligans as long as they are not faced with criminal charges and convicted accordingly for their violent actions and promotion of violence and hate speech", a statement from B92 says.

French Ambassador Jean Francois Terral said that the issue at hand is "quite simple", explaining that police should arrest the perpetrators, the Prosecutor’s Office should press criminal charges against them, while the courts should finally bring them to justice.

Charge d’affaires at the U.S. embassy in Belgrade, Jennifer Brush, passed on their support to investigative journalism and free media, and expressed concern of the United States about the recent threats leveled at Stanković and other members of the Insajder team, concluding that attacks and threats to journalists "cannot and must not be tolerated".

Deputy Head of Mission in the British embassy Bill Longhurst said that his country had recovered from a painful experience with hooligan groups, resolving this problem by taking radical measures. He concluded that, however, they were faced with an easier situation, as those groups were not politically influenced or backed by political parties.

Head of Delegation of the EC Vincent Degert pointed out that this mission will offer its full support through funding programs and media companies devoted to investigative and unbiased journalism.

Deputy Head of Mission of the OSCE Mission to Serbia Thomas Moore expressed deep concern over the threats made against Stanković, pointing out that resolving such problems is significant for the welfare of the whole society in general.

“We are deeply concerned over the threats directed at journalist Brankica Stanković. At the same time, we are glad that the government and other state institutions had taken those threats seriously, as we regard the issues raised in this case quite important, not only for the media freedom in Serbia, but also for the soundness of the Serbian democracy in general."

Expressing his gratitude for their visit and support, Veran Matić emphasized that according to the experience B92 has had so far, it is necessary to implement a kind of “temporary limited state of emergency” in the sport disciplines which proved to be problematic, followed by dismissal of managements of those clubs that are not able to deal with the problems as they established links with those fan groups, which had become integral part of club’s management.

"Imposed management structures placed by the government will be in effect until those responsible for crimes are convicted, and until their relations with the fan groups are being severed. All sponsors must disrupt sponsorship contracts with the clubs which allow hate speech, violent and primitive messages to be present on the matches they organize, and if something like this happens again, sports matches should be closed for audience."

"Special attention should be paid to the work and efficiency of courts in prosecuting all criminal charges currently abandoned under suspicious circumstances. Punishment policy should be more severe and implemented without any exceptions, in urgent procedures. Only in this way should we get rid of those problems for good, as such incidents often move from sports stadiums to the streets and into politics, causing further destabilization of our country," said he.

The diplomats offered their full support for the investigative, unbiased and professional journalism to which B92 is deeply devoted, which in turn represents a backbone of democratic changes, EU integration and fight for human rights protection, the statement concludes.