AVMU condemns Petar Bogojeski's remarks that relativize and justify violence against women

The Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services (AVMU) publicly condemned remarks by Petar Bogojeski that, the Agency said, relativize and in effect justify violence against women and children.

AVMU review of TV Alfa debate

AVMU said it reviewed an episode of the programme "Pod lupa" (Under the Microscope) broadcast on TV Alfa in which Bogojeski, president of the party Macedonian Concept, and lawyer Katerina Koteska, a specialist in family law and domestic violence, took part. The Agency concluded the messages delivered by Bogojeski were unacceptable and contrary to the principles of human rights, equality and human dignity.

In its statement the Agency said: "Violence, humiliation and inequality are not traditional values and cannot be justified under any pretext. It is especially unacceptable to present physical violence against children as an acceptable method of upbringing, or violence against women as a normal part of family relations."

AVMU also noted that, from a regulatory perspective, the programme host acted in line with professional journalistic standards, posed relevant questions, challenged the claims presented and asked for further explanation.

Maria Miteva, chairwoman of the Union of Women of VMRO-DPMNE, also condemned Bogojeski's remarks on Facebook, calling them humiliating, retrograde and dangerous for women and saying they undermine democratic values.

Bogojeski spoke during the debate about feminism, marital relations and the man's role in relation to the woman, arguing that feminism encouraged women to reject male oversight and that the husband should have a supervisory role.

Photo: press material from the event