After ESIEA’s announcement against “humorous” shows and presenters that “target” and “sack” journalists, the Union of Editors of Macedonia – Thrace also issued a statement regarding – as it states – the discrediting of journalists and the journalistic work, which broke out on the occasion of the deadly tragedy in Tempi.

In detail, the announcement entitled “The leveling discredit of journalists threatens their safety”

The Union of Editors of Macedonia-Thrace is witnessing an unprecedented, leveling and methodical campaign to smear journalists and discredit their work, which broke out on the occasion of the tragedy in Tempi.

The ever-increasing intimidation of journalists who are in the field to convey the information to the public shows how uncontrollable the simplistic and inexplicably angry manifestations of “criticism” and safe “sensitivity” can take.

Those who equate centers of power, choices of media owners and the unsubstantiated speech of persons unrelated to information with the anxiety and overwork of journalists covering this painful issue for society as a whole, are essentially turning against the public’s democratic right to be informed.

From the very beginning, the journalistic world of Macedonia-Thrace did everything possible to convey to the citizens, with impartiality, respect for ethics, and under adverse conditions, all the necessary information.

Any attempt to join our colleagues in a narrative that links reporting with cover-ups, dark interests and collective guilt is refuted in practice and every day by our members who are wherever the reporting demands.

ESIEM-TH appeals to everyone to abandon the rhetoric of discrediting journalists, which creates daily threats against their safety.