The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) strongly condemns the attacks on journalists reporting from the Serbian Progressive Party rally and the citizens’ gathering in Užice, as well as the targeting of journalists Marija Vranić and Snježana Ostojić. We also condemn the latest threats against the newsroom of the Volim Zrenjanin and call on the competent institutions to identify those responsible without delay and take all measures within their remit.
Marko Miletić, a journalist with the Mašina portal, was assaulted by an officer of the Police Intervention Unit while reporting from the Serbian Progressive Party rally in Užice. Although Miletić was clearly identifiable as a journalist by his press vest and accreditation and loudly identified himself as a journalist, the police officer tightly gripped his arm, seized the mobile phone he was using to record and livestream the event, and then forcefully pushed him away.
After returning the phone, the officer continued pushing Miletić, preventing him from filming and reporting, and directing him towards a group of SNS supporters. The officer had neither a name nor any other visible identification displayed on his uniform, but only the word “police”.
Journalists’ and media associations have repeatedly warned that the police have an obligation to protect journalists at public gatherings and enable them to carry out their work without interference. An attack by a police officer on a clearly identified journalist constitutes a serious abuse of authority and direct obstruction of the work of the media.
We demand that the Internal Control Sector of the Ministry of the Interior urgently conduct an investigation, establish the identity of the officer who attacked Marko Miletić, and initiate appropriate proceedings to determine his responsibility. We once again call on the Ministry of the Interior to provide adequate training to police officers deployed at public gatherings, so that they act in accordance with the law and fulfil their obligation to protect journalists.
During the police pushback against citizens in Užice, a Radio Television of Serbia cameraman was struck by a stone while filming the event. In this case as well, the police had a duty to respond and protect media workers.
Threats against and targeting of journalists on social media also show no sign of abating. IJAS condemns the targeting of Marija Vranić, a journalist with Užice-based REC Media and a correspondent for Nova S television, and journalist Snježana Ostojić. An account on the social media platform X under the name Ivan Antić, whose user presents himself as an MP from Novi Sad, published false and dangerous accusations in several posts:
“The journalists (correspondents) of Nova S and N1 (MARIJA VRANIĆ AND SNJEŽANA OSTOJIĆ) led and orchestrated an act of violence by pro-Ustasha individuals brought in to confront the people of Užice who attended a registered rally in support of their president.”
It is unacceptable for anyone, particularly a public office holder, to portray journalists who are simply doing their jobs as organisers of violence. Such unfounded accusations fuel hostility towards media workers, expose them to further attacks and directly endanger their safety. We demand that the author of the post retract these claims and cease targeting the journalists.
The newsroom of the Volim Zrenjanin portal has once again received a threat, this time via Instagram from the account “vitofiziobgd”. The following message was posted under a publication sharing a statement by the League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina – Vojvođani concerning violence against citizens in Užice: “You should all be killed, f**k your Ustasha families.”
Messages of this kind constitute threats of death and physical violence. We therefore demand that the police and the competent prosecutor’s office urgently identify the individuals behind these accounts, assess the level of threat faced by the journalists and newsrooms, and take all measures prescribed by law.
Attacks by police officers, the physical endangerment of journalists at public gatherings, targeting from positions of political power and threats on social media are all part of a dangerous environment in which journalists are finding it increasingly difficult to do their jobs. Institutions must clearly demonstrate that violence and threats will not go unpunished. The failure of institutions to respond and prosecute those who attack and threaten journalists encourages further attacks and reinforces the pervasive climate of impunity for violence against journalists in Serbia.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Belgrade, 31 August 2026
