Stankovic: CEC decision is an abolition of media freedom; There is no justification

RTV Gracanica journalist Zoran Stankovic stated that the decision of the Central Election Commission (CEC) to refuse accreditation to journalists reporting in the Serbian language for coverage of the local elections constitutes an abolition of media freedom and that there is no explanation that could justify such an act.

“We are surprised by some new decision every day, but this goes beyond surprise; it is simply something completely unexpected. What is particularly interesting is that whenever something is decided, whenever a decision is made, there is some explanation as to why it happened. I do not even know the exact explanation, but even if I did, I think there simply is no explanation that could justify such conduct,” Stankovic told Kosovo Online.

He stressed that the CEC’s decision amounts to the abolition of media freedom.

“This is such a tangible piece of evidence that, after this, we hardly need to say anything more. But I assume the Journalists’ Association will react, that it will address certain instances, and I suppose that perhaps something will happen in the next two days. In any case, I believe the international community—or anyone, for that matter—should condemn such an act,” Stankovic underlined.