The Coalition for Media Freedom points to the growing prevalence of hate speech and threats directed at local journalists through various communication channels because of the views expressed in their media content and reporting. The latest example of threats sent to the newsroom of Jugpress from Leskovac illustrates a worrying trend of attempts to intimidate and pressure local media.
The Jugpress newsroom received a message via the Messenger app from an account “Zoran Stojanović – Šote” which, in addition to insults, contained serious threats of violence, including threats of physical liquidation and other extremely inappropriate and disturbing statements.
The case has been reported to the competent authorities, including the Special Prosecutor’s Office for High-Tech Crime.
The Coalition for Media Freedom strongly condemns the threats and speech inciting intolerance and violence against the Jugpress newsroom and calls on the competent institutions to respond responsibly. It also warns the relevant authorities and the public about the specific nature of local environments and the danger of inflaming hatred within local communities.
Coalition for Media Freedom: the Media Association, the Online Media Association (AOM), the Independent Journalists’ Association of Vojvodina (IJAV), the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS), the Business Association of Local and Independent Media “Lokal Pres,” the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation, and the “Nezavisnost” Branch Trade Union of Culture, Art and Media.
