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Serbian portals breach journalists' code with ANEM, Matić texts
🇷🇸 Serbia /Culture & Society

Serbian portals breach journalists' code with ANEM, Matić texts

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Four Serbian online portals violated the Journalists' Code of Ethics with inappropriate texts targeting ANEM and its chairman Veran Matić.
  • The portals published identical content under different headlines, accusing ANEM members of working against Serbia's interests and creating chaos.
  • The Journalists' Council Commission found violations related to truthful reporting, editorial independence, ethical language, and respecting dignity and reputation.

The Council for Press Complaints Commission in Serbia has ruled that four online portals – Večernje novosti, Alo, 24sedam, and Užice Oglasna tabla – violated the Journalists' Code of Ethics. The violations stem from their publication of inappropriate texts concerning the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) and its chairman, Veran Matić.

Phases of a color revolution with the patronage of tycoon and 'militarized' media: The same patterns two decades after October 5th.

— Večernje novosti, Alo, 24sedam, Užice Oglasna tablaHeadline used by the portals for one of the offending articles.

The portals published two articles with identical content but different headlines. One headline read: "Phases of a color revolution with the patronage of tycoon and 'militarized' media: The same patterns two decades after October 5th." The other stated: "Propaganda and color revolutions: How 'militarized' media created chaos in Serbia on two occasions."

Propaganda and color revolutions: How 'militarized' media created chaos in Serbia on two occasions.

— Večernje novosti, Alo, 24sedam, Užice Oglasna tablaHeadline used by the portals for another offending article.

Matić, in his complaint to the Council, described the texts as fabrications that used inappropriate language and manipulated context. ANEM stated that the articles' claim that its member organizations "worked day and night against Serbia and Serbian interests" is a continuation of a targeting campaign aimed at inciting hatred and animosity towards ANEM members.

Only the description that ANEM members 'worked day and night against Serbia and Serbian interests' is a continuation of the targeting campaign aimed at inciting hatred and animosity towards ANEM members.

— ANEMStatement from ANEM regarding the articles.

The Commission's decision highlighted breaches of the Code's chapters on truthful reporting, the influence of economic and political interests on editorial policy, the ethics of public discourse, and the avoidance of aggressive rhetoric. Furthermore, the portals failed to uphold principles of respecting dignity, non-discrimination based on political or other opinions, and the obligation not to harm the reputation or dignity of individuals by spreading falsehoods or maliciously damaging their reputation.

a meta is clearly drawn on Veran Matić's forehead

— Filip ŠvarmCommission member Filip Švarm's assessment of the articles during the session.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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