Serbia: Journalists face attacks and obstruction during election campaign

Journalist associations in Serbia are condemning a series of physical attacks, threats, and obstructions targeting media professionals during the current election campaign.

The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) reported that Aleksandar Blanusa, editor of the Volim Zrenjanin news portal, was physically assaulted on September 20 while reporting at an event in Zrenjanin. Blanusa sustained injuries to his elbow and back after being pushed by an individual. NUNS has called for an urgent investigation by police and prosecutors, noting that the journalist had been targeted by the same individual previously.

Additionally, the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) reported that journalists have been expelled from Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) gatherings or harassed while attempting to cover campaign activities. In Kraljevo, Nenad Simović, editor of the portal Likvidno, was forcibly removed from an event by an unidentified man despite wearing press accreditation. In Veliki Izvor, a journalist from Glasa Zaječara was also barred from covering an SNS meeting by a local party official.

Media advocacy groups warn that these incidents create an atmosphere of fear and hinder the ability of citizens to receive objective information ahead of the October 25 elections.