Skopje, 23 November 2021 – Following the devastating bus crash in the Republic of Bulgaria that took the lives of a large number of Macedonian citizens, the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services calls on the media to respect the professional journalistic standards and principles in their reporting, i.e. to ensure that their reports are free from sensationalism and that their reporters respect personal pain and grief. At the same time, the information should be accurate and verified, and, if they cannot be verified or are only assumptions, this should be stated or published.
Bearing in mind the scale of the tragedy, the Agency appeals that broadcasters adjust their programmes and air content appropriate for such circumstances, i.e. restrain from airing entertainment programme.
At the same time, they should not air advertisements, if they are in a position to do so.