The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) strongly protests against the decision of the Senate of the University of Novi Sad to reject the election of Prof. Dr. Jelena Kleut to the title of full professor at the Faculty of Philosophy, thereby directly putting her employment status at risk, given that her employment contract is due to expire soon.
We believe that this decision bears the hallmarks of retaliation and a form of revenge for the support Prof. Kleut has provided to students during the recent student protests, as well as for her clear and consistent public engagement.
It is evident that the current authorities are continuing the practice of targeting all those who raise their voice against injustice. After professors and teachers in primary and secondary schools, university professors have now also become targets. By adopting such a decision, the Senate of the University of Novi Sad is sending a message not only to the academic community, but to society as a whole, that anyone who publicly points out problems can become a target of pressure and sanctions.
This decision is part of a broader process of systemic erosion of education and academic freedoms. Instead of encouraging critical thinking, scientific curiosity and public responsibility, the authorities clearly strive for a society of obedient, rather than educated, citizens.
We remind that Prof. Jelena Kleut has repeatedly been targeted by pro-government tabloids. At the beginning of October this year, she was additionally targeted after pro-government tabloids published the official email of Dominik Thieri, Assistant Head of the Media Department of the OSCE Mission, in which he proposed holding a meeting in the building of the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad. At that meeting, among other things, the situation at the Department of Media Studies, as well as the overall media situation in Novi Sad, was to be discussed.
In line with established procedures, Prof. Kleut forwarded the email to the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Milivoj Alanović, and the Vice-Dean for International Cooperation, Una Popović, as the competent persons who are the only ones authorized to approve such a meeting. Nevertheless, the content of the email soon appeared in pro-government tabloids, accompanied by tendentious articles and attacks in which Prof. Kleut was labeled a “state enemy”.
IJAS demands that the pressure and persecution of Prof. Jelena Kleut be stopped without delay, and that the Senate of the University of Novi Sad reject political pressure and review this decision.
Prof. Jelena Kleut teaches at the Department of Media Studies at the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad. She is the author of numerous expert and scientific papers in the field of communication and media studies, published in relevant international and domestic journals and edited volumes, and is highly respected both in the academic community and among journalists and media professionals.
The pressures on Prof. Kleut do not concern only a single member of teaching staff or a single faculty. They represent a dangerous message to all critically oriented experts in education. IJAS expresses its full support for Prof. Jelena Kleut and calls on the academic community, students, journalists’ associations and civil society organizations to speak out clearly and loudly in defense of academic freedoms, the right to critical thinking and the integrity of the university.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Belgrade, 21 November 2025
