The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) calls on the media reporting from the funeral of the tragic victims in North Macedonia to immediately delete the photos and adapt the news to ethical and professional standards. The Association of Journalists of Macedonia also called on the media to report in accordance with the previously established protocol and basic principles of ethics.
IJAS believes that today’s reporting by several domestic media, in which shocking and disturbing photos were published, is deeply immoral and unacceptable.
Publishing photos and videos of grave sites, close family members and private moments is a direct violation of ethical reporting guidelines and a violation of the dignity of the individuals concerned.
The Serbian Journalists’ Code of Ethics expressly forbids reporting on private funerals and that journalists are obliged to respect the privacy, dignity and integrity of people and to protect their rights. Reporting on the funeral and publishing photos is not in the public interest.
The Law on Information and Media protects the dignity of the person to whom the information relates, so we call on the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications to respond to the reporting of the Republika, Kurir, Blic, Alo, Telegraf and Mondo portals.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS),
Belgrade, March 20, 2025
