The Student Movement has announced that Student List candidates will boycott appearances on Informer TV, citing years of alleged professional and legal violations by the broadcaster.
- The Student Movement says it considers the boycott fully justified.
- It accuses Informer of violating professional standards, the Law on Electronic Media and the Journalists' Code of Ethics.
- The Movement says Informer labeled students as "Ustashas" and "terrorists" and called its coverage of rallies and candidates "shameful."
- The statement follows a ban on Informer's flagship show by the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) reported on 10 November.
- Informer has not responded to the Movement's announcement in the source report.
The Student Movement has announced that representatives of the Student List - Students Win will not appear on programs of Informer TV, a Serbian broadcaster widely seen as close to the authorities.
The Movement said it considers the decision fully justified. It cited what it described as Informer's years-long practice of violating professional standards, the Law on Electronic Media and the Journalists' Code of Ethics of Serbia.
Accusations over labels used against students
According to the Movement, none of the Student List representatives wish to appear on a media outlet whose staff, in its words, have spent the past two years putting targets on the backs of students, future parliamentary majority lawmakers, members of the public and their families. It said this was done by labeling them "Ustashas" (a reference to WWII-era Croatian fascists) and "terrorists."
The Movement also said it found it telling that the broadcaster was suddenly interested in what its representatives had to say about current socio-political developments. It added that over the past two years Informer's coverage of some of the largest rallies in Serbia's history, and of the list of candidates that ultimately won an absolute majority of public support, had been "to say the least, shameful."
Context
The statement comes shortly after the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) banned Informer's flagship show, a step reported by N1 on 10 November. Informer has not been quoted in the source report responding to the Movement's announcement.
The claims about Informer's conduct and about the Student List's level of public support are those of the Student Movement and are presented here as its own assessments.
Frequently asked questions
Why will Student List candidates not appear on Informer TV?
The Student Movement says Informer has repeatedly violated professional standards, the Law on Electronic Media and the Journalists' Code of Ethics, so its representatives will not take part in its programs.
What did the Student Movement accuse Informer of?
The Movement accuses Informer's staff of labeling students as "Ustashas" and "terrorists" over the past two years, and of shameful coverage of major rallies and the Student List candidates.
Did Informer respond to the boycott announcement?
No, Informer has not been quoted in the source report responding to the Student Movement's announcement.
What is the context of this announcement?
The statement comes shortly after the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) banned Informer's flagship show, a step reported by N1 on 10 November.
