More than twenty ambassadors and representatives of the EU Delegation are shocked by the deterioration of the situation of journalists in Serbia, said Veran Matić after a meeting with diplomats, stating that they are aware of threats, attacks and campaigns against the media, as well as a list of 45 public figures marked as targets of future propaganda attacks.
Representatives of more than twenty embassies and the Delegation of the European Union in Serbia expressed their astonishment at the state of media freedom and the safety of journalists in the country, said the President of the Board of Directors Associations of independent electronic media (ANEM) Veran Matić, describing the meeting held on February 12 in the premises of the Delegation EU.
According to him, the meeting was organized on his initiative after he was contacted by phone by the head of the EU delegation, Andreas von Beckerat, regarding, as he says, the “synchronized media attack” and the broadcast of the film “Evil Age 2“, in which he is presented as a “foreign agent, spy, traitor and thief”. Matić said that it was the second call of the European diplomat, after the call after he was targeted by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić on Pink TV.
According to his words, the meeting was attended by representatives of NUNS, UNS, ANEM, Media Association, Local Press and Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation, as well as ambassadors of EU member states.
“They listened to us for two full hours. The general impression is that they were shocked by what is happening to journalists and the media in Serbia and to what extent the situation in this field is rapidly deteriorating – day by day, hour by hour. In my presentation, I praised the excellent annual report of the European Commission on the progress of Serbia, which systematized the horrors experienced by journalists and the media, with the comment that it is already a bit outdated due to the increase in the number of attacks and various new forms of repression,” said Matić.
He showed the diplomats a “kill list of 45 journalists, analysts, professors and lawyers who will be targeted by the Center for Social Stability in future video pamphlets full of lies and slander”, Matić added.
Those journalists are already exposed to lynching, they live and work with numerous threats and physical attacks that are not resolved.
Investigative journalists in danger
He added that some investigative journalists, who deal with corruption and crime, are directly in danger and that their only protection is the mutual solidarity of the profession.
When asked by diplomats about the role of the police, he replied that the investigations are not effective and that the protection of journalists is lacking, claiming that in some situations the police officers attacked journalists themselves.
“In such circumstances, we are forced to self-defence, organize self-protection and mutual solidarity,” said Matić.
As an example of pressure, he cited the accusations from the mentioned film, in which, as he says, it is claimed that he works for foreign intelligence services and the interests of several countries.
“One of the main motives behind the attack on me is that I defend journalists and the media that are targets every day,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of supporting the Safe Journalists program and the SOS line for reporting threats and supporting journalists, which are supported by the EU Delegation and the OSCE Mission in Serbia.
“I also stated that the state has destroyed all the bridges between the media community and civil society organizations and that we cannot change anything there if the government does not want a return to normal communication flows. The president destroyed the constitutional order with illegal amnesties and by preventing the legal election of REM Council members, which he himself admitted,” Matić said.
Physical and online attacks, defamation, SLAPP lawsuits
He also pointed out to the diplomats what he claims is a wider pattern of pressures and hybrid attacks: physical attacks, smear campaigns, SLAPP lawsuits and coordinated online attacks, with the simultaneous denial of access to state funds intended for media projects of public interest.
Young journalists and newsrooms of the new generation are especially at risk, he pointed out.
He also expressed the view that part of the European funds intended to strengthen the rule of law are not used for their purpose and suggested that more funds be directed to professional media and civil society organizations, which will better use them for the democratization of society and alignment with EU values.
Journalists do not give up, despite the pressure
Due to the confidentiality rules of the meeting, he did not reveal the details of the discussion, but he said that the journalists will not give up despite the pressure, and that these attacks are an incentive for resistance and for even stronger professional journalism.
He added that in recent days he received a lot of support from colleagues, former associates, civil society organizations and citizens.
“Solidarity between journalists, media and civil society organizations will win. There is no other possible outcome,” said Matić.
Source: Javniservis.net, Vreme
