The case initiated before the Ethics Commission against our colleague Danica Popović, a professor at the Faculty of Economics at the University of Belgrade, will be recorded as an example of the regime's tabloids' dishonorable spin against freedom and the critical attitude of intellectuals. On this occasion, MASA expresses its concern for the reputation of the entire academic community, considering it inadmissible that by constructing a case and presenting misinformation in the media, individuals ready to express a critical opinion on public policies are slandered. Therefore, MASA, taking into account the documents and opinions of the bodies that were involved in this case from the beginning, presents the following facts:
- In the report of the Ethics Commission of the Faculty of Economics, the position was expressed that Based on the report of the Expert Commission, the Ethics Commission could not come to a conclusion about plagiarism in the translation of the International Economy textbook..
- The Ethics Commission of the Faculty of Economics proposed a measure of public reprimand, because in the opinion of the Ethics Commission, prof. Popović did not adequately and timely highlight the role of the previous translator, prof. Dr. Stojan Babić.
- The measure of public reprimand was pronounced by the Dean of the Faculty of Economics in Belgrade, according to the decision of the NNV made after considering the report of the Ethics Commission.
- The Ethics Committee of the University of Belgrade rejected the appeal of Prof. Danice Popović for procedural reasons and without consideration.
On the basis of the above, MASA believes that it is shameful and scandalous the spin in the tabloid media, which by twisting the mentioned facts impose on the public the conclusion about the alleged "plagiarism of the textbook translation" as well as "that the UB Ethics Committee confirmed the decision of the NNV of the Faculty of Economics in Beograd that it was plagiarism ". MASA reiterates its position that in this case, from the beginning, it was an imposed and constructed process, which should not have been the subject of consideration by the Ethics Commission in the way it was done. The argument for this is the fact that the translation of textbooks in the field of economics is not an academic work, nor a scientific work in the field of economic sciences. It is precisely from this fact that the result of the work of the Expert Commission emerges, which, as stated in the opinion of the Ethics Commission, she did not give a clear assessment as to whether it is originality or plagiarism.
MASA believes that the greatest danger that can arise from this "case" in the future is the intimidation of university teachers, scientists and other academic workers, as well as that the said "case" serves as a preventive action of any government, against its critics, as well as to limit free action of intellectuals in public. That is why we publicly support our member prof. Dr. Danica Popović, and we invite all colleagues, teachers and scientists, to similarly sharpen their critical views towards events in society and reality in general, and to act, in solidarity, and even more sharply and consistently in the fight for truth and democratization, because without such an attitude there is no nor the progress of science and profession in Serbia. MASA will provide them with professional help and support in every way in defending their autonomous engaged and critical attitude.
