19. 10. 2012

OSCE media freedom representative condemns attack on Serbian newspaper director

Vienna, October 18, 2012 (OSCE) - Dunja Mijatović, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, today strongly condemned the attack on Damir Dragić, director of the daily newspaper Informer. 

"This attack could have proven fatal to Mr. Dragić or members of his family. I am happy that no one was injured but I am very disturbed that journalists in Serbia are frequently threatened for their reporting. Any attempt to intimidate the media must be met with strong condemnation. In this respect, I welcome the clear words of support to the newspaper coming from the highest officials in the country," Mijatović said.

Unknown perpetrators threw a Molotov cocktail at Dragić's house in Belgrade late in the evening of 16 October, destroying the car of his father. Dragić has alleged that the attack is directly related to his newspaper's editorial policy.

"I welcomed the assurances made by the government to me during my visit last month that it would work to create safer working conditions for journalists in the country. Today there are still at least three journalists in Serbia who need 24/7 police protection to be able to continue doing their job," Mijatović said.

She called on the authorities to swiftly investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.