The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) strongly condemns the conduct of the police, who physically assaulted journalists while they were reporting from a civic protest in Novi Sad. Although the journalists wore clearly marked PRESS vests, police officers first attacked journalist Žarko Bogosavljević, editor of the Razglas News portal, and then N1 reporter Sanja Kosović as well as members of the student newsroom Blokada.info.
During the pushing of citizens who were peacefully protesting in front of the Government of Vojvodina building, a member of the intervention unit forcefully shoved Razglas News journalist Žarko Bogosavljević as he was reporting live from the event, despite the fact that he wore a clearly marked press vest. It is particularly concerning that Bogosavljević has already been exposed to attacks and pressure several times since the beginning of the protests while performing his work, indicating a troubling pattern of endangering the safety of journalists.
A cameraman from Blokada.info, who also wore a press vest, was struck by a police officer on his camera while filming an officer hitting peaceful protesters without cause. Police also pushed N1 journalist Sanja Kosović, even though she wore a press raincoat and had a clearly displayed press ID.
Incidents of interference with reporting were also recorded in Belgrade, where an RTS crew was subjected to verbal attacks and insults by citizens during a public address by Dijana Hrka. Some of those gathered demanded that the crew stop recording, while others placed flags in front of the camera to obstruct their work.
The absolutely unacceptable and alarming practice of police attacks on journalists reporting from events of public interest continues. Since March 2025, IJAS has recorded 54 cases involving the police, most of which include attacks on journalists, unlawful detentions, and inappropriate identity checks. In the same period, 18 cases were documented in which the police either inadequately responded or failed to respond at all in situations where journalists were attacked, despite the presence of police officers on the scene. In October alone, five police attacks on journalists were recorded.
We firmly demand that the police cease all attacks on journalists immediately, as the red line has long been crossed, and no one has yet been held accountable for previous incidents. The continuation of such actions further deepens the distrust of journalists and citizens toward the police and represents a direct violation of the law and international standards for the protection of journalists and media workers.
We particularly call on the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other competent institutions to promptly initiate disciplinary and criminal proceedings against all officers who exceeded their authority, used force to prevent journalists from performing their work, or physically assaulted them. We also demand that conditions be secured in which all journalists can work freely, safely, and without fear of repression.
The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia will provide legal, psychological, and all other forms of assistance to all colleagues who have been subjected to attacks, threats, or obstruction in their work. We call on all journalists, cameramen, and media workers who have experienced any incidents or interference in their reporting to contact us immediately via the known IJAS contact channels or the emergency hotline 060/6882231 so that support can be provided.
