The National Working Group for Combating SLAPPs expresses serious concern regarding the private criminal complaint filed by the company “Millennium Team” against N1 journalist Maja Nikolić, seeking that she be sentenced to up to one year in prison for, as stated in the complaint, the criminal offense of damaging business reputation and creditworthiness in connection with an article dealing with the purchase of the Hotel “Jugoslavija” and state subsidies.
It is particularly concerning that criminal proceedings are being conducted against a journalist for reporting on a matter of undeniable public interest – namely, the manner in which state subsidies are allocated and the relationship between the state and large private companies. The use of criminal law mechanisms against journalists for published information and value judgments related to the spending of public funds constitutes a serious form of legal pressure and may have a strong chilling effect on media outlets and journalists reporting on issues of public importance.
Additionally, we point out that the company did not request the publication of a denial before starting the procedure, which further indicates that the aim of the lawsuit is not to exercise the right to correction or reply, but rather to exhaust and intimidate the journalist.
This case cannot be viewed in isolation. This company previously been associated with legal proceedings against media outlets and journalists, which are often characterized in the public as lawsuits with SLAPP features (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation), such as claims with high damages against local media in southern Serbia, as well as proceedings against other journalists and editors for reporting on its business activities. Such practice points to a pattern of strategic use of the judiciary to burden, intimidate, and exhaust media organizations and journalists.
The National Working Group for Combating SLAPPs recalls that, among other things, criminal complaints, the threat of imprisonment, bans on performing journalistic work, as well as high damages claims for reporting on issues of public interest, constitute actions with SLAPP characteristics, the aim of which is to discourage critical reporting and narrow the space for public debate.
We emphasize that this is yet another in a series of lawsuits with SLAPP characteristics, which contribute to narrowing the space for free and independent public information. We call on judicial institutions to carefully consider the circumstances of this case and to take into account, in their actions, the standards for the protection of freedom of expression and the public’s right to be informed. We also call on the competent authorities to continue working on establishing effective mechanisms for identifying and preventing SLAPP lawsuits in Serbia.
Protecting journalists who report on issues of public interest is not only a matter of safeguarding the profession, but also of protecting the democratic order and the public’s right to know how public resources are used.
The undersigned organizations will provide all necessary support to journalist Maja Nikolić and will continue to monitor this case.
National Working Group for Combating SLAPPs, composed of:
Association KROKODIL
Belgrade Centre for Human Rights
Civic Initiatives
KRIK
Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights – YUCOM
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS)
Independent Journalists’ Association of Vojvodina (NDNV)
Partners Serbia
Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation
Belgrade,
March 21, 2025
