05. 12. 2013

“Mentalno razgibavanje”: We did not offend Nikolic

Belgrade, December 5, 2013 (Nase novine) -The hosts of  B92 radio- show "Mentalno razgibavanje" Darko Mitrovic and Marko Stepanovic emphasize for Nase novine daily da they did not exaggerate by joking at the expense of Tomislav Nikolic and say the RBA warning will not prevent them to sarcastically comment public figures.

The October 4th show raised alarm in RBA which estimated that the hosts used extremism and insulting speech and that it therefore "jeopardized the dignity of personality and function of the President Nikolic".

"We will not change the concept of the show because of the RBA's warning. The freedom of media must not be thwarted and if someone's goal is to censor this kind of shows, then let them forbid humor" Darko Mitrovic says and adds the team of "Mentalno razgibavanje" show did not ask for support neither from B92 nor any other journalists' association.

In the disputable show, swapped around news from RTS taken over from You Tube was broadcasted, among which the one saying ‘the Government suspended President Nikolic at today's session because of pimping the boys out to former bishop Vasilije Kachavenda".

"In foreign TV shows, hosts "crucify" politicians and no one warns them because of it. In the disputable show, we emphasized that the video clip was taken over from You Tube", Mitrovic concludes and notices that other TV stations belittle public figures and there is no reaction of RBA.

IAJS: Satire is legitimate

Independent Association of journalists says satire is legitimate and necessary as an expression in democratic society. Therefore the warning to the broadcaster for the way one state official is treated in an entertaining show becomes problematic from the freedom of expression's point of view. IAJS strongly opposes every attempt to control the media editorial policy and calls upon RBA to perform within the given jurisdictions.