The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) strongly condemns the new threats directed at the newsroom of Bečejski mozaik and journalist Kristina Demeter Filipčev via social media and calls on the competent authorities to urgently identify and prosecute those responsible.
The newsroom of Bečejski mozaik and journalist Kristina Demeter Filipčev have once again become the target of online threats following the publication of a video from the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) rally held in Bačko Gradište on 19 July. On the Bečejski mozaik Facebook page, a user operating under the name Dušan Vračarić first accused the newsroom of “threatening to kill people” and then posted threatening messages, including: “Be careful we don’t pay you back for your little joke. Your pants will fall off by themselves,” and “If you show up at the polling stations, you won’t have a good time.”
Kristina Demeter Filipčev, editor of Bečejski mozaik, stated that these messages have made her feel seriously threatened, which is why she immediately reported the case to the police.
IJAS recalls that this is not the first time that Bečejski mozaik and its editor have been subjected to threats and pressure. Over the past period, Kristina Demeter Filipčev has repeatedly been targeted with insults, misogynistic messages, and hate speech, including insults based on her ethnic background, while the newsroom itself has continuously faced various forms of pressure. Despite the fact that all previous incidents were reported to the competent authorities, no one has been held accountable to date.
It is particularly alarming that threats against local journalists continue to recur, while the lack of an effective institutional response creates a sense of impunity and encourages further attacks. Local media outlets, which often operate under extremely difficult conditions and are exposed to strong political and economic pressure, are therefore becoming even more vulnerable.
IJAS warns that every threat against journalists constitutes an attack on media freedom and on the public’s right to receive timely and objective information. An environment in which journalists are intimidated for doing their job directly undermines the public interest and democratic processes.
We call on the police and the competent public prosecutor’s office to urgently investigate these threats, identify the person responsible, and initiate the appropriate legal proceedings. At the same time, we call on the competent institutions to resolve the previously reported threats against the newsroom of Bečejski mozaik and Kristina Demeter Filipčev.
IJAS expresses its full solidarity with the newsroom of Bečejski mozaik and Kristina Demeter Filipčev and will continue to monitor this case, insisting on effective protection for journalists and the consistent prosecution of anyone who threatens or seeks to intimidate them.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS)
Belgrade, 22 July 2026
