The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) strongly condemns the latest threats directed at the N1 newsroom and Professor Aleksandra Krstić of the Faculty of Political Sciences. All threats have been reported to the Office of the Prosecutor for High-Tech Crime, and IJAS expects them to be addressed urgently.
In a comment below a news article on the N1 website, a user identifying as Bojan wrote on Monday, October 20: “We’re preparing bombs for N1. Because of your whining, people look at us like rats. The time is coming when all Ustashas must be expelled.”
In another comment, posted by a user named Jovo on Tuesday, October 21, it was written: “F** your Picula mother, are you people normal, let’s burn down N1.”
Since the beginning of this year, IJAS has recorded a total of 76 incidents and pressures targeting N1 journalists.
Additionally, Professor Aleksandra Krstić received a threatening email yesterday. The sender, using the name Zoranc Cvijanovic—who had previously threatened Professor Smiljana Milinkov from the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad and Danas journalist Vojin Radovanović—wrote: “The Black Hand knows everything, my friend.”
These messages constitute direct calls for violence and a dangerous escalation of threats aimed not only at journalists who work professionally and responsibly in the public interest but also at individuals who publicly express their opinions. IJAS calls on the competent institutions, police, and prosecution to urgently identify the authors of these threats, initiate proceedings, and take all legally prescribed measures against the perpetrators.
This is not an isolated incident, but part of a broader system of pressure targeting independent media. The ongoing wave of threats, insults, and calls for violence aims to intimidate and silence those who reveal important information and act in the public interest. Such pressure undermines free journalism, fuels self-censorship, and endangers the safety of journalists.
IJAS reiterates that journalists who report critically are continuously targeted by public officials and pro-government media, which fosters hostility among their supporters toward those who think differently. We emphasize the urgent need to cultivate a culture of public discourse based on respect, fact-based debate, and responsibility for one’s words. The public sphere must be a space for arguments, not threats. Institutions must act responsibly—by removing content that incites violence, sanctioning hate speech, and educating citizens about the consequences of disinformation and calls for violence.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS)
Belgrade, October 22, 2025
