Source: Blic
Lately we have been witnessing a number of actions of security structures in our country in the fight against corruption and organized crime. The Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Security Information Agency, the Military Security Agency and public prosecutor's offices also organized and implemented some actions which justify the epithet of spectacular because of the number of potential criminal offenders and probable damage they caused to the state and society. Of course, the vast majority of citizens welcome these activities because they are vitally interested in every serious result in this fight against corruption and organized crime. This is why it is logical and commendable that the said actions were given good media coverage.
Still, something about it has to be reconsidered. It is the way in which such information is often presented to the public. Information on the scope of actions, the scope of criminal activities, the number of arrested persons etc. should undoubtedly be available to the public because it affirms anti-corruption efforts and may contribute to improvement of undermined citizens' trust in institutions. But publishing the bulk of personal data on arrested persons or suspects in media is not necessary and it is not even needed for that, at least in most cases. Photographs, names and surnames, professions, jobs and even addresses are published. While doing so, it is often overlooked that people who may have been subject to an action by mistake or who are subsequently cleared of all charges may suffer heavy, permanent and virtually irremediable consequences. Those consequences affect them and their families.
The objective of our country is to build a democratic system, to be a law respecting society. We have the Criminal Code which stipulates that every person is innocent unless found guilty by a valid and enforceable decision. We also have the Law on Personal Data Protection under which publishing of personal data is allowed in principle only when it is envisaged by the law, only for the purpose specified by the law and to the extent necessary to achieve that purpose. In order to achieve the said objectives it is not enough only to have laws, they should be respected.
