Skopje, 4 March 2024 – The Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services condemns the extremely vulgar and inappropriate speech in the post of the president of the Levica political party (The Left), Dimitar Apasiev, on Facebook, which referred to Kanal 5 TV.
Apart from the public labelling and discrediting of the media outlet and its person in charge, the post also called to boycott against the advertisers on Kanal 5 TV and their products, in this mentioning a systemic and organized anti-campaign.
Such conduct is absolutely unacceptable, especially when it comes to politicians and public figures who should manifest the highest level of respect for the journalistic profession and the media. Politicians and public office holders must be aware of the weight of their words and the responsibility they have before the citizens. Improper communication has a negative impact on the freedom of expression, above all at sensitive times as the pre-election periods are, and violates the dignity of media workers.