Bomb attack on investigative reporter's home

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 14 August 2013

An investigative journalist's home in Montenegro was bombed, raising alarm over media safety. Reporters Without Borders has called for urgent action against such attacks.

Summary

MONTENEGRO: Reporters Without Borders has strongly condemned a bomb attack on investigative journalist Tufik Softic's home in the northeastern city of Berane on August 11 and urged the authorities to do everything possible to ensure that it does not go unpunished.

A reporter for the national daily Vijesti and the weekly Monitor, Softic was at home with his family when the TNT-based device exploded at around 10 p.m. in the courtyard near his car, which he had parked just 15 minutes earlier. No one was hurt.

"This bombing could have been deadly and must be taken seriously," Reporters Without Borders said. "We are all the more concerned because it was not an isolated incident, because it was the latest in a long series of targeted attacks on media personnel.

"The repetition of such attacks and the impunity usually enjoyed by those responsible make a major contribution to the oppressive climate for investigative journalism in Montenegro. We hope the police investigation will be conducted with all the necessary resolve and resources so that both perpetrators and instigators are quickly identified."

Vijesti editor Mihailo Jovovic told Reporters Without Borders: "This is the latest proof that working journalists who do their job have absolutely no security in Montenegro. This attack clearly aimed to intimidate Mr. Softic and other journalists (…) into refraining from covering crime, corruption, abuse of authority and abuse of public funds."

KEY POINTS:

• Bomb attack occurred on August 11 in Berane, Montenegro.
• Tufik Softic was unharmed, but the attack raises serious safety concerns for journalists.
• Reporters Without Borders calls for accountability to prevent impunity.
• The incident is part of a worrying trend of violence against media personnel.
• Vijesti editor highlights the need for better protection for journalists.