The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) strongly condemns the reporting by Informer and the Republika portal on yesterday’s tragic incident in Belgrade, in which a female student lost her life, and calls on all journalists and media outlets to respect the professional and ethical standards of journalism.
By publishing sensationalist headlines, as well as photographs and footage from the scene of the incident, these media outlets have grossly violated the dignity of the victim, the right to privacy of her family, and have disturbed the public. Such reporting is not in line with the professional and ethical obligations of journalists, who are required to report on tragic events with special care, caution, and compassion.
The Serbian Journalists’ Code clearly stipulates that journalists must respect the dignity, reputation, and privacy of the people they report on, and must avoid sensationalism and the publication of content that may cause unnecessary suffering to the family, those close to the victim, and the public. It is particularly unacceptable to publish distressing images and details that do not contribute to the understanding of the event, but serve solely to increase readership and manipulate the emotions of the audience.
IJAS finds it especially concerning that Informer, along with other pro-government media outlets, went a step further in today’s reporting by attempting to politically instrumentalize this tragedy, accusing individuals and social groups without any basis and using the death of a young person for political confrontation. Such practice represents a gross abuse of media space and is contrary to the basic rules of professional journalism, which require fact-checking, restraint from unfounded accusations, and a clear distinction between informing the public and engaging in propaganda.
We remind the public that the Law on Public Information and Media obliges media outlets to publish information truthfully, in a timely, complete, and responsible manner, while taking into account personal dignity and the protection of privacy, especially in cases involving death, accidents, and human suffering. In such situations, the public’s right to know cannot serve as an excuse for violating ethical norms and further hurting a family suffering an irreparable loss.
IJAS calls on the media not to further traumatize the family of the deceased girl through their reporting, to respect their privacy and grief, and to refrain from publishing disturbing content, unverified claims, and politically motivated interpretations.
Compassion for the family that has lost a loved one must be a basic rule that journalists follow when reporting on tragic events. Professional responsibility, ethics, and humanity must not be sacrificed for clicks, political interests, or sensationalism.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Belgrade, 27 March 2026
