The Ministry of Information calls for the removal of photographs and videos from funerals in North Macedonia

The Ministry of Information and Telecommunications of Serbia has issued a public warning and asked Serbian media to remove photos and videos that “violate the dignity of victims and families” from the funeral of those killed in a fire at a discotheque in the Macedonian town of Kocana.

(Source: Beta) “With such actions, numerous media outlets have violated the dignity of the victims, caused distress to their relatives and the general public, and demonstrated a lack of awareness regarding the need to uphold basic professional standards,” the Ministry stated in a press release.

The Ministry called on the media to adhere to legal provisions, as well as professional and ethical standards, when reporting on matters of public interest.

They emphasized the need for “increased journalistic caution” in cases involving topics that could “further disturb” the public.

The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) earlier today called on the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications to respond, and urged media outlets covering the funerals of those killed in North Macedonia to immediately delete the photos and adjust their reports to align with ethical and professional standards.

“NUNS believes that today’s reporting by several domestic media outlets, which published distressing and disturbing photos, is deeply immoral and unacceptable. Publishing photos and videos of gravesites, close family members, and private moments is a direct violation of ethical reporting guidelines and an infringement on the dignity of the individuals concerned,” the statement said.

NUNS added that the Association of Journalists of Macedonia had also called on the media to report in accordance with previously established protocols and basic ethical principles.

“We emphasize that the Serbian Journalists’ Code explicitly prohibits reporting from private funerals, and that journalists are obliged to respect the privacy, dignity, and integrity of individuals, and to protect their rights. Reporting from funerals and publishing photos is not in the public interest,” NUNS added.