Commissioner for Protection of Equality Brankica Jankovic congratulated the World Press Freedom Day to all journalists in Serbia, stressing that free, responsible and professional reporting is one of the basic values of every democratic society. The freedom of media expression must not be endangered, because it is highly important for all citizens and therefore the state has the obligation and responsibility to protect and preserve those values.

Commissioner stressed that the last year was full of difficult moments for the journalists, having in mind numerous attacks, threats and oppression, especially on social media. The World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders reveals worrying data and when you include the worsening material position of media professionals, who work for very low salaries, it is clear that relation to journalists and journalism must be improved as soon as possible, emphasizes Commissioner.

Jankovic reminds that media are the key channels for information and modeling of public opinion and that is why professional and responsible reporting is an obligation of all media, together with continuous improvement of reporting standards which promote tolerance, equality and mutual respect.