The portals Politika, Alo, Informer and Vecernje novosti have violated the Code of Journalists of Serbia at several points in the articles about the journalist and deputy editor-in-chief and FoNet Tamara Skrozzi, concluded today the Complaints Commission of the Council of print media.
The decision stated that the texts are practically identical in all media, with the fact that the policy did not include in the title the claim that Vucic was supposed to be killed on the night between October 5 and 6, so the instruction from Point 1 of chapter was not violated in that media 2 according to which the title should correspond to the essence of the text. All other provisions have been violated, as in other portals.
“It is absolutely clear that Tamara Skrozz did not say what is alleged in these headlines, nor did she mention Aleksandar Vucic or any murder,” and that this is a maliciously inaccurate interpretation of what she said, media speculation, which is presented to the reader as fact.
“In this way, points 1, 2, 4 and 5 of Chapter 1 were violated, because the ‘reporting’ was inaccurate, not objective, without distinguishing between facts and statements and comments, serious accusations were made against Tamara Skrozz, completely unfounded, and despite what the journalists of any of these four media outlets did not invite her to explain exactly what she meant, if need be,” said The Press Council.
Also, the provision has been violated according to which the economic and political interests of publishers should not influence their editorial policy, so as to result in non-objective information of the public (Point 2 of Chapter II).
Other points highlighted by the complainant Zlatko Cobovic were violated: points 1 and 6 of Chapter IV and points 1, 3 and 4 of Chapter V.
It is also added that when it comes to violations of the provisions relating to copyright, it cannot be asserted with certainty who is the author of the disputed texts and decision-making in this regard would be based on conjecture. The law on Public Information and Media foresees the obligation to sign texts, but such a provision does not exist in the code.
The decision was unanimous.
In the discussion it was noted that the Minister of information, Dejan Ristic, has “dissolved” by supporting the tabloid hunt for Tamara Skrozz.
It also stressed that this is a direct threat to the safety of Skrozz and her family, as well as “the most vulgar and dangerous targeting”.