On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) warns that the state of media freedom in Serbia is alarming and has further deteriorated over the past year, as confirmed by reports published yesterday by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR).
In its latest World Press Freedom Index, RSF has, for the first time, characterized the global state of press freedom as a “difficult situation.”
Serbia improved its position on this list by two places, but not due to its own progress—instead, due to the decline of media freedom in other countries. Serbia’s score dropped by 0.92 points (to 53.55 out of a possible 100), marking the lowest score in the 23-year history of the Press Freedom Index.
In an atmosphere of political polarization, journalists are targeted with attacks and institutional obstruction. The Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM), whose members are appointed by the government, fails to respond to violations, while journalists are often denied access to government representatives and crucial information, RSF concludes.
The MFRR report, compiled after a solidarity mission to Serbia, notes that attacks on journalists in recent months have reached levels not seen in decades. In addition to this, death threats, targeting by political officials, surveillance, and orchestrated smear campaigns are occurring in a climate of chronic impunity and inadequate institutional response.
The IJAS annual report, Indicators on the Level of Media Freedom and the Journalists’ Safety Index, confirms the findings of international organizations. The reports indicate that Serbia remains a “captured state” in terms of media freedom, while the Journalists’ Safety Index for the Western Balkans ranks Serbia the worst among these countries, with a continuous yearly decline. Journalists and media workers face difficult conditions and poor working environments.
In recent months, journalists in Serbia have faced a large number of attacks and pressures. Of particular concern is the frequent failure of police officers present at the scene to respond appropriately, and in some cases, police have even assaulted clearly identified journalists. Alarming cases include the arrest of journalists, as well as the use of tools to access and monitor their communications on mobile devices. Furthermore, the large number of unresolved cases and the high rate of impunity only deepen the public’s distrust in responsible institutions. In 2024, only one conviction was recorded.
In addition, journalists are increasingly targeted by SLAPP lawsuits. During 2024, 22 such lawsuits were documented.
Government representatives not only fail to condemn attacks, but in many cases instigate them, thereby encouraging a violent narrative against journalists, who continue to be the target of smear campaigns in tabloids and on social networks.
In 2024, IJAS recorded 166 cases of attacks and pressures against journalists, including 17 physical assaults. In just the first four months of 2025, 116 attacks and pressures have already been registered, including 13 physical assaults.
Although legislative changes were made regarding co-financing media content of public interest, the process remains plagued by numerous problems—from the non-transparent selection of commission members to the distribution of funds itself. Instead of encouraging the production of high-quality, public-interest journalism, the system is used to finance media close to the government. A further problem is the reduction of funds allocated through the co-financing process and the increase of resources allocated via public procurement, direct contracts, and other forms of state aid—without clear criteria and with even less transparency.
REM, the key actor in regulating Serbia’s media landscape, has not fulfilled its role in a responsible or effective manner for many years. Since November of last year, REM has operated without a Council, which further undermines its legitimacy and operational capacity. The process for electing a new REM Council was marred by irregularities, political pressure, and lack of transparency, resulting in the withdrawal of independent candidates. Although a new call for candidates was issued at the end of April, the track record of institutions gives little reason to trust the fairness and legality of the process or the future functioning of REM as an independent regulator. Equally concerning is the lack of independence of public service broadcasters, which hinders their role as a check on government power and contributes to the erosion of public trust in objective and impartial information.
On May 3, IJAS calls on state institutions, international organizations, and the public at large to recognize the seriousness of the situation and urgently take action to ensure the protection of journalists, freedom of expression, and citizens’ right to accurate and impartial information—because without independent media, there can be no democracy.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Belgrade, May 3, 2025
