The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) calls on the authorities to recognize the importance of local media and to ensure they can operate freely, especially given the already difficult conditions in which they work.
The Webinfo portal from Novi Bečej has once again been denied invitations to attend and report on events of public importance, organized by or involving the local government. This is not an isolated case but has become a pattern of behavior by almost all local self-governments towards so-called “unfavorable media.”
Since the beginning of the year, Webinfo has been excluded from a number of public events in Novi Bečej. The most recent incident occurred on August 12, when the president of the Novi Bečej municipality spoke about the completion of work on a new children’s playground in Novo Selo. Webinfo was neither invited nor given the opportunity to ask questions on-site.
Throughout the year, the Webinfo portal was also not invited to the unveiling of the bust of Jovan Berić, nor during visits by the President of the Provincial Government Maja Gojković, the Minister of Culture Nikola Selaković, or even during the award ceremony for students of the generation.
The Epicentar Press portal from Čačak was taken offline for 24 hours following a cyberattack. Their Facebook page has also been repeatedly taken down. The provider informed them that “potentially dangerous files” were found within their account, which, according to the portal, compromised their website presentation and possibly affected other users of internet services within the system. In agreement with the portal, IJAS has reported the attacks to the Prosecutor’s Office for High-Tech Crime.
The portal also faced an issue with their provider, Eunet, which threatened to terminate their contract and shut down the website simply because the portal was attacked by third parties.
IJAS urges state authorities to understand that local media are the backbone of informing citizens on issues that directly affect their daily lives. They serve as a bridge between citizens and institutions, ensuring transparency and oversight of local administration.
Without strong and independent local media, the public would be deprived of relevant and timely information necessary for making informed decisions.
We remind that the Law on Public Information and Media stipulates that all media must be given equal access to information.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Belgrade, August 13, 2025
