Serbian authorities eject TV crew from city hall

Serbian authorities eject TV crew from city hall

SEEMO calls on local politicians to abstain from pressuring media

Vienna, 7 August 2013 – The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), today condemned reported threats against journalists by city hall staff in the southern Serbian city of Nis.

According to local sources, on 6 August city hall security ejected a TV crew from local Nis-based TV Belle Amie. A video recorded by the crew depicts a security guard threatening them and forcing them out of the building. After a journalist asks why the guard is doing that, the guard explains that he was ordered to do so.

“Journalists on a local level in Serbia are often the victims of threats by local politicians or businesspeople”, SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic said. “I urge political authorities in Nis to abstain from pressuring media and for the police to investigate this case.”

ENDS

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