The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) expresses serious concern over the shutdown of the social media accounts of the Razglas portal from Raška, as well as the blocking of the accounts of Sto plus Radio from Novi Pazar, which points to a possible coordinated digital attack on independent local and regional media.
According to information IJAS received from journalist Nikola Kočović, the social media accounts of the Razglas portal were shut down, while his personal account was suspended with the explanation that he was allegedly “under 13 years old.” Such an explanation further reinforces suspicions that this is a case of abuse of reporting mechanisms and organized targeting aimed at disabling one of the few independent local media outlets in Raška.
At the same time, the social media accounts of Sto plus Radio from Novi Pazar were also blocked, as that media outlet publicly announced. As stated by the station’s director, Ishak Slezović, the administrators were unable to obtain any explanation for the reasons behind the block.
“We had been experiencing occasional problems sharing certain content for several days and believed it was due to temporary technical issues at Meta. We are now completely certain that this is a coordinated attack on Sto plus Radio,” Slezović said.
It is particularly worrying that the accounts of two independent media outlets were blocked on the same day, which further suggests that this is not a coincidence, but a possible pattern of organized digital pressure.
IJAS warns that the abuse of social media rules, mass reporting of content, and blocking the accounts of independent media constitute a serious form of digital pressure on freedom of expression and the public’s right to be informed. When such mechanisms are used against independent media, the consequences are particularly dangerous, as they further narrow the already limited space for professional and critical public information.
We call on the competent institutions to pay attention to cases of digital targeting and pressure on independent media, especially in smaller communities, where such attacks can have serious consequences for citizens’ right to information.
IJAS will continue to monitor these cases and provide support to colleagues from Razglas and Sto plus Radio, while maintaining the clear position that pressure, whether physical, institutional, or digital, must not become a tool for silencing independent media.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Belgrade, April 7, 2026
