The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) strongly condemns the threats of physical violence made against Žig Info editor Željko Matorčević by Bojan Pitulić, an official of the Grocka City Municipality, as well as the new threats directed at journalists from the IN Medija newsroom in Inđija.
Žig Info editor Željko Matorčević has once again received a threatening message from Bojan Pitulić, Deputy President of the Grocka City Municipality. Along with insults and accusations that the journalist had attacked his child, Pitulić told him: “And you in particular, you scum, when I see you. Then you will not have to make up stories about Pitulić beating you.”
This is not the first time Pitulić has addressed Matorčević in an insulting and unacceptable manner. In July this year, he also insulted him on social media. It is particularly concerning that such messages come from a public official, who should be aware of the responsibility associated with his position and refrain from any form of pressure, intimidation or threats against journalists.
We recall that Željko Matorčević was severely beaten in October 2018, while the house of his colleague Milan Jovanović was set on fire. Former President of the Grocka City Municipality Dragoljub Simonović was sentenced to prison by a final court judgment for inciting the arson attack on Jovanović’s house, while the person responsible for the attack on Matorčević has never been prosecuted.
The IN Medija newsroom also received a threatening message stating: “The campaign against you is beginning.” In addition, the same person wrote, “Delete the comment, since you constantly do that to me,” indicating that this was not the first time the individual had sent threatening and insulting messages to the newsroom.
The threats against IN Medija have been reported, and we expect an urgent response from the competent prosecutor’s office.
IJAS particularly draws attention to the position of journalists working in local communities, where such threats carry additional weight because journalists and those threatening them move within the same environment on a daily basis, potentially intensifying their sense of insecurity.
The Žig Info and IN Medija newsrooms have been reporting on matters of public interest for years and have already faced serious threats and violence because of their work. Therefore, no new threat against them must be downplayed.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Belgrade, 16 September 2026
