Insults, Defamation, Falsehoods: Press Council Finds That Kurir, Politika, Alo, Informer, and Novosti Violated the Journalists' Code of Ethics

(Source: Glas javnosti) The Complaints Commission of the Press Council, at its session held yesterday at the UNS Press Center, ruled that the websites Kurir, Politika, Glas Zapadne Srbije, Alo, Informer, and Novosti violated the Code of Journalists of Serbia.

The Complaints Commission found that Kurir and Politika breached the Code of Journalists of Serbia due to false reporting, violation of dignity, and influence of political and economic interests. Kurir additionally violated the rules on respecting human dignity in its articles about Marko Marjanović, labeling him as an “opposition activist calling for a coup d’état.”

Alo and Informer also violated the Code due to biased reporting on public prosecutor Bojana Savović, whom they referred to as an “opposition prosecutor” and accused of sabotaging an investigation. Informer further misused excerpts from Zoomer’s podcast, taking statements by actresses Bojana Novaković and Jelena Stupljanin out of context.

Glas Zapadne Srbije failed to publish a correction from Svetlana Milunović, thereby violating the right to reply.

On the other hand, Danas, Blic, Novosti, NIN, Politika, Alo, Informer, Srpski telegraf, and Republika were not found in violation of the Code in cases related to a satirical column, coverage of President Vučić’s address, and failure to publish a correction that is part of ongoing court proceedings.