The Macedonian Association of Journalists (MAN) urges its members not to succumb to pressure and threats, and not to withdraw texts related to the “Racket” affair. Any publication of texts related to this affair is public interest protection where only the work of state functionaries is described.

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev yesterday called on journalists to freely publish, and when they did, he threatened to sue a journalist who published a document on the “Racket” affair, mentioning his name. MAN has been told that other officials mentioned in the document from the “Racket” investigation also exert public and direct pressure and restrict media freedom.

MAN calls on these officials to sue Prime Minister Zoran Zaev whose team they are part of, as he has called on journalists and the media (on several occasions) to freely report and inform, including on the “Racket” affair.