The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) and the Association of Independent Electronic Media (AIEM) strongly condemn the arrest of KTV journalist and columnist Aleksandar Dikić, which represents a blatant act of repression and an attempt to intimidate critical voices in Serbia.
Aleksandar Dikić was arrested yesterday in Novi Sad by members of the Ministry of Interior’s Unit for Combating High-Tech Crime, after which he was transferred to Belgrade, where he was placed in police custody for 48 hours.
This move was preceded by a campaign against Dikić in pro-government tabloids, further reinforcing suspicions that this is politically motivated action and pressure on the media and individuals who publicly express critical views.
According to available information, Dikić is suspected of “inciting a violent change of the constitutional order,” while his lawyer, Ivan Ninić, told the media that the journalist had made an “awkward statement” a few days earlier in a show on the Srbin info YouTube channel, which was misinterpreted. In addition to the arrest, according to available information, an investigating judge, acting on an order by the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade, ordered a forced entry and search of the apartment, which is an additional disturbing indication of an inappropriate use of repressive powers.
Journalists and media professionals bear a special responsibility in the public sphere, as the way they address the public, and the terms and expressions they use, directly shape public discourse and influence the social climate. It is essential that journalists insist on precise, ethical, and professional language, aware that every spoken or written word carries weight and responsibility, not only toward the public, but also toward the profession itself. Nevertheless, the measures ordered are excessive and disproportionate, especially given the context in which the disputed words were spoken.
Of particular concern is the application of disproportionate measures such as accessing and searching journalists’ computer hard drives, other data storage devices, and mobile phones, as well as copying their contents, which directly compromises personal and confidential data and journalistic sources. Such practices constitute a serious intrusion into the right to privacy and media freedom, and set a dangerous precedent, amounting to direct intimidation of journalists and their sources.
IJAS and AIEM warn that such actions by state authorities represent a direct attack on freedom of expression and freedom of thought. Repression does not protect the public interest – it protects the regime. The aim of such arrests and criminal proceedings is to intimidate everyone who exercises their right to express a critical opinion and participate in public debate.
We particularly protest the double standards applied by Serbian authorities. While competent institutions, primarily the prosecutor’s office, dismiss criminal complaints concerning direct, credible, and actionable threats made against journalists, even the slightest criticism of the authorities or pro-government policies is sanctioned with the utmost severity.
IJAS and AIEM demand that the competent authorities urgently review the legal basis and proportionality of the measures taken and, in further proceedings, fully respect the standards for protecting media freedom, the public interest, and journalists’ rights.
We remind that freedom of expression includes the protection of unpleasant, provocative, or unpopular views, and that institutions are obliged to act impartially, proportionately, and in line with the public interest, rather than as an instrument of political pressure.
IJAS and AIEM will inform relevant international organizations monitoring media freedom and journalists’ safety about this case, requesting that further abuse of institutions for the purpose of silencing critical voices be prevented.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Association of Independent Electronic Media
Belgrade, December 25, 2025
