Serbia: CFWIJ condemns denial of questions by Žana Bulajić, other journalists by senior political figures

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September 25, 2021- Žana Bulajić, a correspondent for Newsmax Adria was denied entry to press conferences during German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s official visit to the Western Balkans. Merkel was first in Belgrade and then in Tirana and on both days - September 13 and 14 - some major media outlets and notable journalists were denied the right to ask questions and barred from the press conferences. President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić joined the German chancellor in Belgrade while Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama accompanied her in Tirana. Several journalists recorded their protest for the selective approach by government officials towards the press on such an important event. The CFWIJ stands in solidarity with Žana Bulajić, a correspondent for Newsmax Adria and her fellow reporters, and expresses concern over the impediment caused by senior political leaders. 

Žana was restricted from entering the press conference hall by the management, who quoted epidemiological measures to deny her entry. PM Edi Rama had reportedly had a selective approach towards journalists from Kosovo. A video posted on Facebook by journalist Enis Reçica shows him and other fellow correspondents holding their hands up to ask questions for nearly 40 minutes. But they were repeatedly ignored by the Albanian PM. 

"There is nothing strange here anymore, even the government no longer pretends in front of foreign representatives that there is freedom of the media here. We understand that they are turning a blind eye since it is a matter of high politics, but the question remains to what extent they will remain silent and watch the government kill the journalistic profession in Serbia,” said Independent Journalists Association of Serbia President Željko Bodrožić, commenting on the incident. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns this discrimination against Kosovo members of the press by government officials. We believe that journalists must be given a fair environment to practice journalism and uphold the right to information. The CFWIJ extends support to Žana Bulajić and commends her commitment to journalism.