The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) strongly condemns the pressure and threats directed at the journalist and editor of the Žig Info portal by officials and political activists. Blackmail and smear campaigns against journalists are unacceptable.
Željko Matorčević, editor and journalist of the Žig Info portal from Grocka, has been the target of a discreditation campaign for some time, led by local political activist Dragoljub Krstić, who targets him on social media. Meanwhile, Saša Mijailović, a councilor from the ruling coalition in Grocka, has sent him messages threatening to publish a video of allegedly inappropriate content featuring Matorčević, unless he complies with demands.
Dragoljub Krstić posted a mocking image montage on his Facebook profile, showing a photo of Matorčević in the hospital after a brutal physical attack — an attack that remains unresolved to this day.
Speaking to IJAS, Matorčević said the image montage was posted after Žig Info published a news report about a court hearing that Krstić failed to attend.
“There’s always some sort of campaign on social media after articles where he’s mentioned as an activist. This isn’t the first time he’s posted something like this, but this has really crossed the line,” said Matorčević.
He also stated that the messages he received from Saša Mijailović came after the publication of an article about who was present at the rally in Pionirski Park in Belgrade, which was held on the day of the student protests, March 15.
“He asked me to take the article down and mentioned some porn video, as if I know what he’s talking about,” the journalist explained.
The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia firmly condemns these actions directed at the journalist and editor of Žig Info and calls on the political actors involved to immediately stop targeting the journalist.
The attempt to blackmail journalist Željko Matorčević will be reported to the relevant authorities, and we expect an appropriate institutional response to prevent further pressure.
The ongoing practice of impunity encourages others to pressure journalists, jeopardizing media freedom and contributing to Serbia’s continued decline in this area.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Belgrade, April 17, 2025
