OSCE Calls Detention Of Macedonian Journalist 'Excessive'

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is criticizing the detention of a Macedonian journalist over an article he wrote in 2008.

Dunja Mijatovic, the OSCE's representative on freedom of the media, says the detention of Tomislav Kezarovski is "excessive" and negatively impacts media freedom in the country.

Kezarovski, now an investigative journalist at the daily "Nova Makedonija," is serving 30 days in detention over the article he wrote for "Reporter 92" magazine. It identified a witness in a murder case.

Mijatovic said "journalists must be allowed to carry out investigative reporting of issues in the public interest" without the threat of imprisonment or being forced to reveal their sources.

She said even in cases of confidentiality or witness protection, the detention of journalists is “excessive."