The Independent Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers (In Macedonian: Samostoen sindikat na novinarite i mediumskite rabotnici “SSNM”): and the Association of Journalists of Macedonia (In Macedonian: Zdruzenie na novinarite na Makedonija “ZNM”) condemned yesterday’s threats to the editor-in-chief of “Plus Info” – Branko Geroski.
“SSNM and ZNM believe that these threats represent a direct attack on the freedom of speech and freedom of the media and give their full support to Geroski. We also call upon all competent state institutions to take measures needed for exposing the criminal and his just punishment, so that no one in the future even tries to threaten and scare journalists and media workers. In order to have a democracy that functions well, we need freedom of speech in abundance, and this cannot be attained if journalists and media workers are under constant pressure and threats, because it is just a recipe for creating an atmosphere of self-censorship”, SSNM and ZNM said.
According to the information that Geroski publicly shared, certain Borce Ginoski posted a direct threat on social media with the words “You’ll take a bath in Lake Vardar”. According to the editor, these threats are an attempt for him to be silenced, in other words, to frighten him to stop publishing series of texts connected about an alleged racketeering group linked to the ruling party.
They also add that “these threats which are an attack on the freedom of speech and freedom of media will be reported to all international institutions that deal with defending freedom of speech”.
Today journalist Branko Geroski was received by President Stevo Pendarovski, who condemning any kind of threats towards the media, said that journalists should enjoy all rights and freedom in order to work professionally and without pressure.
Geroski also visited the headquarters of SDSM and the party condemned “any attempt to offend of prevent the freedom of speech”.
