05 Jun The Ongoing Struggle for Journalists in Serbia

Serbia has witnessed a troubling surge in attacks and threats against journalists, sparking significant concerns about the state of media freedom and the rule of law in the country. 

Recently, the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad has become a focal point for such attacks, with several journalists, including the executive director of the Independent Association of Journalists of Vojvodina (NDNV), being targeted. Ana Lalić Hegediš and Dinko Gruhonjić, both affiliated with NDNV, have faced a relentless campaign of intimidation, including threats of physical violence. This campaign originated from a manipulated video montage, distorting Gruhonjić’s statements and subjecting him to baseless accusations. Additionally, Lalić Hegediš’s public stance on the construction of a church in Novi Sad’s settlement has made her a target of hostility.

These journalists are bombarded with thousands of threatening messages on social media and through email. Lalić Hegediš has received death threats and sexist remarks, while threatening graffiti has appeared on Gruhonjić’s private residence.

Several media organizations have responded to these attacks by urging authorities to launch immediate investigations and implement measures to ensure the safety and protection of the targeted journalists. Some have also highlighted the role of public officials in fueling campaigns against journalists and promoting hatred towards them.

The dire situation is underscored by the findings of the latest report “Freedom of Expression and Media Pluralism 2023” in Serbia, published by the Independent Journalists Association of Serbia (IJAS). The report paints a bleak picture, highlighting ineffective law enforcement, pervasive pressure on journalists, and state violations of media pluralism.

Recent research by the Journalists Association of Serbia and the Independent Journalists Association of Serbia reveals that institutional pressures are the most common threat faced by journalists, followed closely by economic pressures or job insecurity. Additionally, smearing campaigns and Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) are distressingly prevalent, contributing to a climate of fear and censorship.

According to the research “journalists in Serbia assess the reaction of state authorities in cases of reported security threats as inadequate (90%), and 75% of respondents say that the attitude of state authorities towards them (when they reported threats) was more or less negative”. Furthermore, another significant concern is the fact that many serious attacks on journalists remain unresolved, including the 1999 assassination of prominent journalist, Slavko Ćuruvija.