The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) condemns all attempts to abuse the journalistic profession for political and propaganda purposes, as well as any form of rhetoric that undermines the fight for media freedom and professional standards.
This reaction is prompted by a statement issued in the name of Euronews Serbia, which contains harsh, inappropriate, and manipulative terms such as alleged “torture,” “camps,” “persecution,” and “street justice” in the context of the civic protests in front of RTS. Such statements are a blatant attempt to portray public dissatisfaction with the work of the public broadcaster as an organized lynching—an act that does not protect journalists but compromises the truth.
Although the statement was released without a signature from the editorial board, the public understandably perceived it as representing the entire newsroom. However, a group of Euronews journalists publicly distanced themselves from the content, clearly stating that it does not reflect their professional views or comply with the Serbian Journalists’ Code of Ethics. With this statement, they demonstrated genuine courage and integrity—qualities expected of anyone who takes the profession seriously.
This makes it even more evident that the responsibility for this politically motivated text lies solely with the Euronews editorial leadership, which has for some time now been steering a clear and visible editorial shift—recognized by both the public and media professionals.
We further stress that employees of this newsroom have for months reported internal pressures, censorship, and unprofessional demands, with several journalists leaving the outlet due to the erosion of professional standards. This latest statement is merely the culmination of that ongoing process.
IJAS reminds the public that the role of journalists is to inform—not to mobilize state institutions against citizens, nor to use language that contributes to stigmatization and societal division. The misuse of journalistic solidarity to defend editorial policies that have long abandoned the public interest cannot—and will not—go unnoticed.
We call on the Euronews editorial leadership to clarify who is responsible for issuing that statement and to take accountability for their decisions, as well as to allow their employees to do their work in accordance with ethics, the law, and their own professional conscience.
NUNS will, as always, stand in defense of any journalist under attack—but it will not remain silent in the face of the growing trend of editorial abuse, censorship, and the transformation of journalism into a mouthpiece for the powerful.
Belgrade,
April 18, 2025
