The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS/IJAS) and the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM/AIEM) condemn the incident that occurred yesterday in Čačak, when, according to Nenad Nešović, editor of the Čačak-based portal N2, he was shoulder-bumped by journalist Gvozden Nikolić, owner of the portal Glas Zapadne Srbije. Nešović reported the incident to the police, while Nikolić denied that the incident took place in a statement to the media today. We expect the Prosecutor’s Office to act in accordance with the law and determine all the circumstances surrounding this event.
Nešović told the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS/IJAS) that he was following the rally in Čačak and that at the time he met with Nikolić, he was going to another location.
“I was walking down the middle of the street because traffic was closed, and when he saw me, he stepped into the center of the road and came straight toward me. When he reached me, he struck me with his left shoulder. At that moment, his son said, ‘Isn’t this the guy who sued us? I’ll remember him,’ and they continued walking. After finishing my reporting duties, I went to the police in the evening and filed a report. Then I went to the emergency room. They referred me to orthopedics, where it was confirmed that I have a contusion on my left shoulder,” said Nešović.
Gvozden Nikolić has denied that the incident took place. In a statement to the media, he said that he does not know Nešović and has never met him.
Nešović, however, insists that Nikolić’s claims are false. He states that there were witnesses present during the incident and that there is substantial evidence showing that the owner of Glas Zapadne Srbije has publicly targeted him in the past.
IJAS and AIEM remind the public that this is not the first instance of a journalist being attacked by another media worker. In late May of last year, Milan Lađević, co-owner of Srpski Telegraf, punched journalist Vuk Cvijić. Lađević denied the incident, but after prolonged delays, the prosecution eventually confirmed that Lađević had indeed hit and pushed Cvijić. Nonetheless, this attack went unpunished.
We believe that the lack of consequences for attacks on journalists directly inspires and encourages further assaults.
Therefore, IJAS and AIEM call on the Prosecutor’s Office to urgently take all actions within its authority upon receiving the report: to take statements from the victim and witnesses, obtain medical documentation and video footage (from public cameras, media outlets, or bystanders), and give this case priority, especially considering the fact that the assaulted journalist was on assignment at the time.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Association of Independent Electronic Media
Belgrade, September 8, 2025
