The Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) reminds the media, when reporting on the funerals of the victims of the tragic fire in Kocani, to adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards.

– Reporting should be free of sensationalism, it is mandatory to respect the personal pain and grief of the families, relatives and loved ones of the deceased and to take care not to contribute to further increasing anxiety. In this direction are the requests from the residents of Kocani who yesterday addressed the Agency directly, as well as through social networks, with an appeal for media workers to stay away during funerals and not to film with drones. The media should be careful when making and especially when publishing recordings and photographs, in order to allow families and parents to say goodbye to their loved ones with dignity and respect – the statement says.

AVMS assessed that these days, the media have shown a high level of professionalism.

– There have been several cases of broadcasting films and series with entertainment content, for which complaints have been submitted to the Agency, which is why we suggest that broadcasters pay more attention when creating the program schedule. At the same time, it is important that the classical music that is broadcast is appropriate for the days of mourning – say the Agency.

They appeal to the media to provide the necessary support to their media workers who have been exposed to exceptional stress and, thus, health risks in recent days while performing their work duties.