The Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM) has called for urgent institutional action following serious online threats against journalist and columnist Erol Rizaov. The threats, posted in comments on his official Facebook page, included calls for violence and ethnically motivated insults. AJM submitted an urgent request to the Ministry of Interior, asking authorities to preserve digital evidence, identify those behind the accounts and determine whether the comments constitute criminal offences related to threats, incitement to violence or hate speech. Where such elements are established, AJM called for the cases to be immediately referred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Stressing that threats against journalists because of their work directly undermine freedom of expression, AJM urged institutions to respond promptly and effectively to prevent online threats from escalating into violence. Read more here.
Source: AJM