Makarovič ordered a journalist to be silent. Now the whole profession demands silence from her

On Friday, 2 October, the Ljubljana court held a hearing in the lawsuit in which journalist Jože Možina demands an apology and damages from Svetlana Makarovič over alleged insult. After the hearing ended, a Planet TV journalist wanted to ask the artist a question about freedom of expression. Makarovič cut her off.

"Be quiet, because you are stupid." (translated)

The act was condemned by the Slovenian Journalists' Association and the Association of Journalists and Publicists (ZNP). In a statement, ZNP wrote that journalists have the right to ask uncomfortable questions too.

"An interviewee may refuse to answer, but that does not justify personal insults and orders that a journalist fall silent. We firmly reject personal humiliation, intimidation and violence against journalists because of their work, regardless of the journalist's political orientation, the editorial policy of their outlet or the reputation of the attacker. Professional solidarity must apply to everyone." (translated)

ZNP stressed in particular that this is an established cultural figure and political activist who invokes freedom of speech when defending her own expression, yet responded to the journalist's question by demanding silence.

"Artistic standing gives no one the privilege to humiliate others. Freedom of expression must also apply to people whose questions or views we do not like." (translated)

ZNP believes this continues the same pattern Makarovič showed on 21 January 2022 in a public attack on Možina, when she called him a "professional liar" and a "slanderer without honour" and ended the attack with an order:

"Hold your tongue, Možina!" (translated)

ZNP also criticises the report on the 2 October edition of Odmevi on TV Slovenija, which allegedly presented the reason for the lawsuit misleadingly, claiming that Makarovič called Možina a "lažina" (a lie), which she did not actually write in the disputed text.

Anyone expecting an apology from the author of children's poems for educational reasons should not forget that this is an adult community.