Skopje, 11 August 2026 – The Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services draws attention to the seriousness of the content of comments posted on the official Facebook page of journalist and columnist Erol Rizaov, which contain serious threats, calls for physical violence, and insults based on ethnic affiliation.
Some of the comments contain calls for physical confrontation with the journalist, including messages calling for his elimination and death. Such content necessitates appropriate action by the competent institutions, within the scope of their legal powers and responsibilities.
The Agency reminds that journalists must be able to perform their work freely and without obstruction, threats, intimidation, or pressure. Creating an environment in which threats against journalists are present in the public sphere can have serious consequences for media freedom and freedom of expression.
Threats of physical violence, calls to cause harm or take a person’s life, as well as the spread of intolerance and insults based on ethnicity, are not part of legitimate public debate and must not be relativized or normalized.
The Agency calls for the responsible use of the public sphere and respect for the dignity, safety, and professional integrity of journalists, as prerequisites for a free, independent, and pluralistic media environment.