The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) strongly condemns the intimidation of Žig info editor-in-chief Željko Matorčević by Bojan Pitulić, assistant to the president of the Grocka City Municipality, after the portal published an article about his career.
According to the Žig info newsroom, Pitulić reposted the article “He Cleaned the Streets of the Opposition, Now He Is Cleaning Grocka” on his Instagram profile, using the account bojankm2327, with a comment addressed to Matorčević: “Matorčević, you can suck the d**k of all the Pitulićs. That is all from me.”
The Žig info newsroom stated that it does not view this message as a harmless comment under an article, nor as an insult that should be ignored, but as a threat, given that Pitulić is an influential official, as well as because of previous pressure, threats and attacks against journalists from this newsroom.
We recall that the house of Žig info journalist Milan Jovanović was set on fire while he was inside with his wife, and that the former president of the Grocka Municipality, Dragoljub Simonović, was finally convicted and sentenced to four years in prison for inciting this attack. For this reason, every message coming from a representative of local authorities that contains insults, intimidation or a hostile tone towards journalists from this newsroom must be taken seriously.
IJAS reminds Bojan Pitulić, as well as all public officials, that they are obliged to tolerate criticism of their work, especially when they hold public office and exercise public authority. Instead of insults and pressure on journalists, officials have a duty to foster a culture of public communication, both in public appearances and online.
If they believe that media outlets have published inaccurate or incomplete information, public officials have the right to use legally prescribed mechanisms, including the right of reply and correction, instead of confronting journalists with insults and intimidation.
IJAS calls on Bojan Pitulić to publicly apologise to Žig info editor Željko Matorčević and the portal’s newsroom, and to refrain in the future from communication that may be understood as pressure, intimidation or a threat against journalists.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Belgrade, 10 July 2026
