The SafeJournalists Network strongly condemns the physical assault on the N1 Television crew that took place in the center of Zagreb today. While performing their professional duties and filming statements in a public area, the journalists were verbally abused by an unknown man who then escalated the incident into physical violence, shoving one of the crew members and causing an injury near his eye.
This alarming incident occurred in broad daylight, in a public space, and once again demonstrates how unsafe journalists can be even in the capital of an EU member state. Such attacks not only endanger individual reporters and camera crews but also send a broader message that obstructing and intimidating journalists is tolerated. When journalists are attacked simply for doing their work, it’s not only their safety that’s threatened, the public’s right to be informed comes under attack as well.
The SafeJournalists Network emphasizes that this act of violence cannot be viewed in isolation. It takes place in an increasingly hostile atmosphere toward the media, where certain public figures and political actors frequently target journalists through verbal attacks, discreditation, and open accusations. Such rhetoric, when left unchecked, fuels resentment and encourages individuals to act violently against the journalists and media. The normalization of hostility toward journalists in the public discourse creates a dangerous environment in which anyone feels entitled to attack media workers on the street.
We call on Croatian institutions — including the police, public prosecutors, and other relevant authorities — to promptly and thoroughly investigate this assault, identify and sanction the perpetrator, and reaffirm that violence against journalists will not be tolerated. The state has an obligation to guarantee the safety of journalists and to ensure that those who inform the public can do so without fear of harassment or attack.
The SafeJournalists Network will inform relevant national and international actors about this case.
Every attack on journalists is an attack on democracy, the public interest, and fundamental human rights.
Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica – Tirana, November 12, 2025
Croatian Journalists’ Association
Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Association of Journalists of Macedonia
BH Journalists’ Association
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Trade Union of Media of Montenegro
