ZNM and SSNM condemn obstruction and insults toward Telma reporter in Bitola
The journalist was allegedly filmed by an ambulance driver and later prevented from reporting by security during an incident that injured three people.
The Association of Journalists of Macedonia (ZNM) and the Independent Union of Journalists and Media Workers (SSNM) condemned what they described as unacceptable obstruction and insults directed at Telma reporter Emilija Misirlievski while she was covering an incident in Bitola in which three people were injured after a storefront and part of the building's metal structure at the Administration for Keeping Registry Books collapsed.
How the obstruction happened
According to the statement, Misirlievski properly presented her press identification, but was first impeded by an ambulance driver who recorded her on his mobile phone. She was later prevented from filming and carrying out her work by private security at the scene.
The two organisations said it was particularly worrying that a person who left an ambulance apparently chose to film and intimidate a journalist instead of attending to professional duties at the incident site.
ZNM and SSNM stressed that emergency service employees are expected to behave professionally and should not contribute to pressure on reporters performing their public-interest work.
The associations reminded that journalists have the right to freely and without obstruction report on events of public interest, and that no one is allowed to arbitrarily block their work or subject them to insults and threats.
Misirlievski has filed a police report. ZNM and SSNM are calling on competent institutions to investigate all circumstances and determine responsibility for the actions taken against the journalist.
Photo: press material from the event
