The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) strongly condemns the targeting of journalists from TV N1 by the highest state officials – the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and the President (Speaker) of the National Assembly, Ana Brnabić – who in recent days have, in their public appearances, accused this television station of inspiring an alleged assassination attempt against the head of state.
The news of the detention of war veterans on suspicion that they were planning to undermine the constitutional order and attack President Vučić has been used by the top of the government as a pretext for yet another escalation of pressure on the N1 newsroom. The trigger for these attacks was the fact that, alongside the statement of the Ministry of the Interior, N1, acting in accordance with professional standards, also reported the statement of the detainees’ defense counsel, who said that the reason for the detention was “intimidation ahead of the upcoming gathering on 15 March.”
In response, Speaker of the National Assembly Ana Brnabić posted accusations on the social network X that constitute dangerous labeling of the media and further fuel an atmosphere of lynching. Among other things, Brnabić wrote: “What a monstrous relativization and an even more monstrous twisting of reality… (in)direct protection of those who want to harm the President of Serbia and his CHILDREN… Horrifying. And deserving of every condemnation.”
At the same time, President of the Republic Aleksandar Vučić said in a public address: “…they were supposed to beat my child so that he would die and to slaughter him… These are lies they could have read somewhere. And where – you can guess.”
He repeated accusations that “lies are being spread” on N1 and Nova S and added that he has had “1,000 reasons” to shut them down by now, but that he did not want to.
IJAS reminds the public that in a democratic society it is unacceptable for the highest state officials to link the media and journalists with the gravest criminal offences while at the same time suggesting the “shutting down” of television stations. Such messages, delivered from positions of power, represent direct pressure on editorial independence, an abuse of institutions and the authority of public office, and a serious security risk for journalists who have for years been facing threats, attacks, and smear campaigns.
It is particularly alarming that standard journalistic practice – reporting information from official statements of competent authorities as well as the defense’s position (an elementary professional obligation) – is portrayed as “dehumanization” or complicity in violence. Turning routine journalism into “evidence” of someone’s guilt and declaring it inspiration for violence is pure propaganda, not statesmanship. Such rhetoric not only delegitimizes the media in the public eye, but can also encourage individuals and groups to move from verbal attacks to physical violence.
IJAS calls on the President of the Republic and the President of the National Assembly to immediately stop targeting the media and journalists, and to refrain from statements that incite hatred and endanger the safety of N1 journalists. IJAS has been warning about this practice for years, clearly pointing to its consequences for media freedom and journalists’ safety. This kind of conduct fuels and normalizes an atmosphere of violence in society. The European Commission’s Serbia progress report also calls for an end to such practices.
IJAS will inform relevant domestic and international organizations monitoring media freedom and journalists’ safety about this case.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS)
Belgrade, 25 February 2026
