Q:
A:
Disinformation on Mladic's arrest harms the state
Belgrade,
22 February 2006
Head of the Serbian government's Office of Media Relations Srdjan Djuric said that state bodies did not engage in any special activities related to the case of Ratko Mladic yesterday and today.
Srdjan Djuric
Djuric said that the Serbian government has no knowledge of why disinformation was spread that Ratko Mladic was located and arrested, and that negotiations with him are underway.
However, he added, it is certain that any such disinformation seriously harms the state.
"We are using this opportunity to ask the media to use the government's official sources. During my career, I worked as an editor-in-chief and I would like to remind my colleagues that if a source they are using is truly reliable then there is no reason not to name that source. In that way, the professional seriousness and necessary responsibility towards the public interest are demonstrated," Djuric said.
According to Djuric, new disinformation is already being spread – that Ratko Mladic was arrested and then released, that Ratko Mladic was arrested but escaped and similar untruths. Everyone should bear in mind that such fabrications are not only utterly unserious, but can also inflict serious damage to everyone.
Djuric said that the state and the government are determined to fully resolve the Hague issue, and added that there is no dilemma that the public will be informed of every advance made in that area the moment it is realized, as has been done so far.
“I am surely aware that the public is greatly interested in this issue in view of its enormous importance, but it is harmful that sensationalism and disinformation prevail, and thus indirectly slow down the successful completion of a task that is in the greatest interest of the state and all citizens,” said Djuric.
Djuric concluded that the Serbian government has good communication with the Hague tribunal and the Prosecutor's Office, because so far it has worked hard to realise full cooperation. He added that it is imperative that the government remains a trustworthy partner and that its credibility is not damaged with disinformation.
However, he added, it is certain that any such disinformation seriously harms the state.
"We are using this opportunity to ask the media to use the government's official sources. During my career, I worked as an editor-in-chief and I would like to remind my colleagues that if a source they are using is truly reliable then there is no reason not to name that source. In that way, the professional seriousness and necessary responsibility towards the public interest are demonstrated," Djuric said.
According to Djuric, new disinformation is already being spread – that Ratko Mladic was arrested and then released, that Ratko Mladic was arrested but escaped and similar untruths. Everyone should bear in mind that such fabrications are not only utterly unserious, but can also inflict serious damage to everyone.
Djuric said that the state and the government are determined to fully resolve the Hague issue, and added that there is no dilemma that the public will be informed of every advance made in that area the moment it is realized, as has been done so far.
“I am surely aware that the public is greatly interested in this issue in view of its enormous importance, but it is harmful that sensationalism and disinformation prevail, and thus indirectly slow down the successful completion of a task that is in the greatest interest of the state and all citizens,” said Djuric.
Djuric concluded that the Serbian government has good communication with the Hague tribunal and the Prosecutor's Office, because so far it has worked hard to realise full cooperation. He added that it is imperative that the government remains a trustworthy partner and that its credibility is not damaged with disinformation.
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