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9 clusters · 41 sources · 55 days · First seen · Last updated

Journalist intimidation and regulatory concerns in Serbia

Overview

The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) has reported a series of attacks and intimidations against media professionals. Initially, the association condemned a wave of threats, insults, and physical or sexualized violence directed at journalists reporting on the death of Ratko Mladic. NUNS noted that the intensity of this intimidation led at least one journalist to remove published content, which the association stated “directly undermines freedom of expression.” Following these events, NUNS filed a criminal complaint with the Special Prosecutor's Office for High-Tech Crime regarding a specific death threat sent via Instagram to journalist and writer Marko Vidojković. The association highlighted a pattern of insecurity, noting that while over 25 cases have been opened regarding threats against Vidojković and colleague Nenad Kulačin since 2019, only three have resulted in convictions. Recent reports indicate a continued rise in harassment against civil society media in Serbia. The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) reported that a journalist from Istinomer received intimidating messages on her private phone. Internal tensions also emerged within the N1 newsroom, where journalists condemned the targeting of colleagues Danica Vučenić and Žaklina Tatalović. NUNS further condemned threats against Žig Info editor Željko Matorčević from a local official and messages sent to IN Medija stating, “a hunt is starting for you.” ANEM also reported that Nenad Kulačin and Marko Vidojković received explicit threats of sexual violence via X. During election coverage, NUNS condemned attacks, threats, and obstructions in Kragujevac, Bečej, and Belgrade. In Belgrade, N1 reporter Mladen Savatović faced verbal abuse and a physical attack attempt by Momčilo Mandić; Savatović reported that police failed to arrive despite calls for assistance. In Bečej, journalist Kristina Demeter had her phone seized by a man during an SNS gathering, while Aleksandra Kostić faced verbal threats. Concerns regarding regulatory bodies have intensified.

Entities

Serbia · Association of Independent Electronic Media · NUNS · N1 · Regulatory Body for Electronic Media

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 14 sources
    Serbia: Media groups petition to revoke TV Informer license

    Media associations and academic representatives in Serbia have petitioned the regulator (REM) to revoke TV Informer's license, citing systemic legal violations and propaganda.

  2. [POLITICS] 18 sources
    Serbia media regulator accused of abusing authority before elections

    Serbia's media regulator (REM) is accused of illegally issuing a document accusing N1 and Nova S of violating election silence without a Council decision, amid rising threats against journalists.

  3. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Media and women face increased pressure in Serbian election campaigns

    Serbian election campaigns have seen a rise in media manipulation and gender-based harassment, with journalists facing increased threats and women in politics targeted by sexist abuse and AI-generated content.

  4. [POLITICS] 5 sources
    ANEM condemns threats against journalists and signal hijacking in Serbia

    Serbia's ANEM has condemned explicit sexual violence threats against journalists and the illegal hijacking of TV Forum's signal by pro-government outlets.

  5. [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Journalists attacked in Serbia; racism condemned in Montenegro

    Journalists in Serbia reported attacks during a political event in Novi Sad, while Montenegrin authorities condemned the racist harassment of an Asian tourist by youths on a bus.

  6. [CRIME] 3 sources
    ANEM reports threats against journalist Nemanja Šarović

    ANEM has reported threats of serious violence against KTV host Nemanja Šarović following reports of police interference and physical force used against his news team during a political rally.

  7. [INTERNATIONAL] 12 sources
    Journalists in Serbia face threats and physical attacks during election coverage

    NUNS and ANEM condemn multiple attacks on journalists in Serbia, including physical threats against N1's Mladen Savatović and the seizure of equipment in Bečej during political coverage.

  8. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    NUNS condemns threats against Serbian journalists

    NUNS has condemned threats made against journalists Željko Matorčević and the IN Medija editorial staff by a local official in Grocka, Serbia.

  9. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    NUNS condemns threats against journalists reporting on Ratko Mladic

    The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia condemned threats and misogynistic insults against reporters covering the death of former Bosnian Serb military leader Ratko Mladic.

Sources

024info.rs · 072info.com · aktuelno.me · becejski-mozaik.co.rs · beta.rs · cenzolovka.rs · dan.co.me · danas.rs · glasistre.hr · index.hr · insajder.net · inversoresunidos.com · istmedia.rs · javniservis.net · jutarnji.hr · krusevacpress.com · kurir.rs · n1info.ba · n1info.rs · naslovi.net · nedeljnik.rs · nova.rs · novilist.hr · resetka.rs · rijekadanas.com · sdk.mk · serbiantimes.info · skopje1.mk · srbin.info · srpskadijaspora.info · srpskainfo.com · telegram.hr · vecernji.ba · vijesti.ba · vijesti.hrt.hr · vijesti.me · visithoustontexas.com · visualcrossing.com · vojvodjanskireporter.rs · vreme.com · ziginfo.rs

This summary has been updated 7 times: see revision history