The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) voiced its support for journalist and President of the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) Veran Matic, condemning the latest death threats against him and calling on Serbian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
The EFJ noted that the attack on Matic has been documented on its Mapping Media Freedom platform and added that they have submitted an alert to the Council of Europe’s platform for the protection of journalism.
Recently, ANEM reported a series of threats and harassing messages targeting Matic to the Special Prosecutor’s Office for High-Tech Crime. According to the association, forged statements attributed to Matic were circulated on Facebook, X, and Instagram, triggering a wave of comments that included death threats and calls for him to be hanged, sacrificed, or publicly executed.
In response to this latest incident and a long history of previous attacks, Matic has requested a formal security assessment from the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP). At the same time, ANEM is urging the MUP and the Special Prosecutor’s Office for High-Tech Crime to prioritize the numerous reports filed this year alone, demanding that the perpetrators be identified and prosecuted immediately.
The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) and the Journalists’ Association of Serbia (UNS) also condemned the attacks and called for a comprehensive investigation. The EFJ has joined these local appeals, reiterating its demand that Serbian authorities take decisive action regarding the death threats against Matic.
Source: N1
