The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) said in its report on the media situation in Serbia in November that journalists faced harsh conditions on their jobs.
The report said that journalists continue to face punishment, intimidation, and violence while reporting on issues of clear public interest. Discussions between ANEM and local media concluded that reporters increasingly need to prepare for hostile conditions in the field and even carry protective equipment. The report warned that the police often failed to provide adequate protection.
Journalists were attacked or prevented from reporting while covering hunger strikes, public protests, and election processes — even when clearly identified as media staff. Reporting from local elections in several municipalities also led to threats, physical pressure, and harassment.
In addition to physical threats, journalists and newsrooms faced digital attacks, including hacking of websites and email accounts, coordinated online harassment campaigns, and attempts to discredit journalists through social media manipulation, the report said and added that a number of journalists and outlets were publicly defamed by government officials and pro-government media, further contributing to a hostile environment.
Source: N1
