The Independent Union of Journalists and Media Workers (SSNM) has voiced serious concerns regarding the Ministry of Health’s request to refrain from filming, photographing, or interviewing individuals recovering from injuries sustained in the Kochani fire. The union believes this appeal raises critical questions about media freedom and the protection of public interest.

SSNM emphasizes that journalists and media professionals are best equipped to determine the appropriate timing, location, and manner of gathering information on matters of significant public concern, such as the treatment of those injured in the Kochani tragedy. They assert that Macedonian media outlets have consistently demonstrated responsibility and respect for professional standards while remaining sensitive to the feelings of victims and their families since the fire.

The union argues that the Ministry of Health’s “appeal” constitutes a dangerous precedent that could potentially evolve into censorship, which is explicitly prohibited by Article 16 of the Constitution. SSNM urges the Ministry and other state institutions to recognize their position and acknowledge that such appeals can be perceived as institutional pressure on freedom of speech, a fundamental right not only for the media but for all citizens.

The SSNM underscores the crucial role of the media as guardians of the public interest and vital agents in exposing irregularities within society. They assert that through professional reporting, public awareness of important issues is heightened, paving the way for improvements, as demonstrated by the media’s coverage of the rehabilitation conditions for those injured in the Kochani tragedy.