17. 07. 2012

New Serbia leader again lashes out at media

Belgrade, July 17, 2012 (B92) - New Serbia (NS) party leader Velimir Ilić on Tuesday once again launched a tirade against the media, targeting B92 and Olja Bećković in particular.

Bećković is the host of "The Impression of the Week" talk show on B92 TV, which airs late on Sundays, and has previously been verbally attacked and insulted by Ilić.

Ilić - who expects to again become a minister as part of the country's new coalition - spoke during a news conference in Belgrade today to claim that "a media campaign was being conducted against him", and singled out Bečković, who, he said, should be "legally reeducated".

"You are aware that these days an exceptionally huge manhunt is under way in Serbia against me, a media and otherwise manhunt, and that really is not good. It's the same people who did it for years, they continue to talk. I really don't understand some people: they wish to put together a government, they wish to decide, they wish to pass their judgment on behalf of the voters," he said, and continued:

"I no longer understand Mrs. Olja Bećković, what is it that she wants from me? Is she normal, is she healthy - and I'm asking responsible people at B92 to send her to analysis."

Bećković reacted to this by saying that "the new Velimir Ilić deserves a chance to prove himself", and added:

"I made some comments that referred to the old Velimir Ilić, and that old Velimir Ilić has nothing to do with the new one, the one who made the statement today."

While he served as minister for capital investments and infrastructure, Ilić frequently publicly accused B92, and did not shy from using inappropriate language to call out the media outlet's reporters.

Even before he joined the government - and after the October 5, 2000 changes - Ilić was making inappropriate statements concerning Bećković personally, and B92.

In another media-related incident, Ilić kicked journalist Vladmiri Ješić in the leg during an interview, and subsequently faced a lawsuit. He was found guilty and ordered to pay his victim RSD 1.38mn in damages.