Croatia: N1 TV Crew Verbally Harassed During Covid-19 Interview
Location: Croatia, Zagreb
Date: October 23, 2020
The guest of Dnevnik N1 television on October 14 was the director of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases Alemka Markotić, who talked to reporter Matea Dominiković about the great growth of newly infected people in Croatia. However, just before appearing live on Dnevnik N1, N1 TV crew and professor Markotić were verbally attacked by a young couple.
The N1 TV crew was getting ready for the live broadcast in a public green area when a couple approached them and made comments about the crew not wearing masks. In an article depicting the incident, Matea wrote: “To reiterate, wearing protective masks is mandatory indoors (health facilities, public transportation, shops, post offices, banks, etc.). When we talk about open spaces, in the City of Zagreb, protective masks are also mandatory in open spaces where the concentration of people is high, i.e. where it is not possible to keep a physical distance.”
The crew ignored the comments of the couple, however they were met with the same kind of provocation minutes later, this time with insults. The couple acted aggressively towards the cameraman trying to impede him at work.
Matea wrote in her article that she understands that during such challenging times, tensions in the society are high especially due to economic crisis and unpredictability, however this should in no way be a pretext for any kind of violence against the press.
“This is not a job, this is the calling we live for. From early morning to evening, regardless of rain, snow and extreme heat, we try to inform the public about everything important. Every day we learn, we work on ourselves in order to inform the public as accurately as possible about social phenomena in the country and the world. But we do not deserve threats to our safety.” Matea said.
Following the incident, The Croatian Journalists' Union also condemned the “savage verbal attack”, saying: "The public has the right to express an opinion and criticize, but this is not it, this is the abuse and obstruction of a journalist doing her job.” A Croatian government spokesman, Marko Milic, also condemned those responsible on Twitter, adding that relevant authorities were taking action.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism understands the impact of Covid-19 on mental health, however condemns threats and attacks against journalists who are doing their best in order to inform the public in the midst of the pandemic. We appreciate the work of women journalists reporting on Covid-19 from across the world despite putting their safety and health at risk at most times. They face clampdown from authorities in many countries, are threatened with legal action and are even arrested. We urge the public to respect the freedom of the press and stop taking out their anger from journalists.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.
