The Society of Professional Journalists (DPNCG) called on public officials to refrain from labeling the journalism profession and making general accusations of spreading disinformation, as this, they said, is frivolous and dangerous.
"If they believe that someone has published incorrect information, the way forward is to react and complain to the ombudsmen, or the Media Self-Regulatory Body," said DPNCG president Mila Radulović.
They reacted to today's announcement by the President of the Tivat Municipal Assembly, Miljan Marković.
"The claim that 'citizens are being deliberately misinformed through fabricated scandals and tendentious narratives' and that this is becoming an instrument of predators is as ridiculous as it is dangerous and shows how much officials know nothing about the media. Investigating the work of state or local officials is not creating scandals and encouraging predators, but reporting on topics of public importance," Radulović points out.
DPNCG called on Marković, who "publicly made such general and blanket allegations," to adhere to procedures for reporting inaccurate information, instead of publicly targeting all journalists, accusing them of violence against women.
"We expect him to explain the statement that 'news houses must terminate cooperation with correspondents who are involved in fabricating scandals and disinformation, and partner editorial offices must refuse to take over texts whose aim is to discredit women based on someone else's orders or interests'. If he thinks he knows everything about journalism, we fear that he has been reading the wrong books or listening to bad advisors," the statement reads.
What did Marković say?
Marković, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, said that violence against women is not just a personal tragedy, but a serious social problem that requires a decisive and joint response. He said that every woman has the right to live without fear, to dignity, respect and security, and that this is not a privilege, but a basic human right.
"As the President of the Tivat Municipal Assembly, I want to emphasize that I personally, through the work of the Assembly, will continue to advocate for the creation of an environment in which violence is recognized, reported and sanctioned, and victims are provided with full support. It is my obligation to speak about these issues clearly, loudly and responsibly — not only today, but every day of the year. Only together can we build a society in which respect, dignity and safety have no alternative," Marković announced.
He also pointed to "an insufficiently visible segment: violence against women in the workplace, institutional and public environment."
"From my experience in the work I do, I must highlight some silent but very harmful forms of institutional violence: when a strong, principled woman is belittled by her superior; when her work is ignored or underestimated despite visible results; when she receives lower grades without reason, even though other bodies reward her; when her personal integrity and honor are attacked because of her firmness. Such phenomena are a major obstacle for any woman who wants to get involved in social or political life. Because if a woman sees that her colleague's dignity and integrity are being violated, it is natural for her to wonder whether she herself could be the target of such treatment," he said.
Marković also wrote in the statement that "it is particularly worrying when what should be the bastion of truth - journalism - is included in these mechanisms of violence."
"We often witness journalists, through fabricated and fabricated 'affairs', biased narratives or deliberate misinformation of citizens, becoming an instrument of support for a predator. Such texts do not serve the public, but rather become a means of settling scores with a strong, professional and principled woman, in order to break her position and stifle her integrity. This is the grossest form of abuse of media space and a direct attack on the honor and dignity of women. This is absolutely unacceptable. Such behavior is contrary to the ethical norms of journalism and represents a gross violation of the mission that the media must have in society. News outlets must terminate cooperation with correspondents who are involved in fabricating scandals and disinformation, and partner editorial offices must refuse to take over texts whose aim is to discredit women based on someone else's orders or interests," he wrote.
He said that "we have to talk about it openly."
"Only by recognizing all forms of violence — physical, psychological, institutional, media and moral — can we truly support women and build a society in which integrity, honor and equal opportunities are respected and defended. Tivat must remain a city where women feel safe, valued and equal — in their homes, at work, in institutions and in public space," he said.
Bonus video:
