The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) strongly condemns the obstruction of the work of Storyteller journalist Vladimira Dorčova Valtnerova from Bački Petrovac, as well as the verbal threats directed at Fahrudin Kladničanin in Novi Pazar. IJAS also warns that summoning Danas journalist Uglješa Bokić for questioning over the publication of parts of a police official note constitutes unacceptable pressure on a journalist and the editorial office.
Today, Storyteller journalist Vladimira Dorčova Valtnerova was obstructed by the Gendarmerie while reporting from a gathering of citizens in Bački Petrovac who had assembled to express dissatisfaction with the visit of the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić. A Gendarmerie cordon surrounded the citizens, and the journalist found herself inside the ring. Although she had visible press markings and stated that she was there to report, the police did not allow her to leave the cordon. IJAS contacted the liaison point at the Ministry of Interior (MUP) regarding this case, and after some time the journalist was enabled to move freely.
IJAS emphasizes that it is the police’s duty to ensure safe and unhindered reporting from events of public interest, not to detain, “cordon off,” or prevent journalists from moving and carrying out their work. Therefore, we call on the Ministry of Interior to urgently issue clear instructions to all police officers in the field on how they must treat journalists and media workers, including the obligation to enable media teams to pass, move and work freely, while respecting their visible press markings and credentials.
According to media reports, during a protest in Novi Pazar on Sunday, 21 December 2025, an incident occurred in which Fahrudin Kladničanin, director of the academic initiative Forum 10 and a journalist, was verbally attacked. An event was recorded in an official note of the Novi Pazar Police Directorate. The incident took place at around 1:30 p.m. in Stefan Nemanja Street, at a pedestrian crossing in front of the City Administration building. An unknown person reportedly approached him from behind, launching a series of insults and threats and accusing him of being “sent from Belgrade to spread politics.” The attack continued as Kladničanin attempted to walk away, and further escalated when he was giving a statement to Blic TV, with messages including that he would “see what happens” when he goes out on the street. The incident ended only after police officers intervened and separated those present.
IJAS welcomes the reaction of the police officers who stopped the incident, but demands that the competent authorities, without delay, identify the person who threatened Kladničanin and initiate the appropriate proceedings. The threats have, according to available information, been reported to the prosecution, and we expect an urgent and effective response.
Of additional concern is information published by Danas that journalist Uglješa Bokić has received a call from Novi Sad police to appear at the Novo Naselje police station on Thursday, 25 December 2025, for questioning on the order of the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office. According to the report, the questioning has been scheduled in relation to the publication of parts of a police official note on the Danas portal regarding the detention of Novi Sad lawyer Nemanja Aleksić in early April this year. The prosecutor’s office ordered the police to question Bokić about the circumstances of a criminal complaint filed by Aleksić personally against an unknown person (NN) for the criminal offence of Violation of confidentiality of proceedings.
IJAS assesses this move as pressure on the journalist and the Danas newsroom, since protection of sources is one of the key principles of free journalism and a right guaranteed by the Law on Public Information and Media (LPIM). We remind that Article 58 of the LPIM stipulates that a journalist is not obliged to disclose the source of information, except in exceptional cases strictly defined by law, when information related to a serious criminal offence cannot be obtained in any other way.
The public has the right to know what happened during and after the detention, especially given that the lawyer in question represents prominent public officials and that the case sparked significant public interest and concern. We also point out that, in line with the Law on the Protection of Whistleblowers, a person who made information of public interest available may be entitled to protection, which further obliges institutions to act with care and in accordance with public interest standards.
For these reasons, we call on the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office to dismiss the criminal complaint against the unknown person (NN), and to stop practices that are publicly perceived as intimidation of journalists and pressure on newsrooms, including summoning journalist Uglješa Bokić for questioning in relation to published content.
IJAS will inform relevant international stakeholders about these cases and will continue to insist that institutions ensure safe conditions for the work of journalists and media workers and put an end to practices that undermine media freedom and the public’s right to be informed.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS)
Belgrade, December 22, 2025
