The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) strongly condemns the threats directed at the editorial team of the Mašina news portal via social media and calls for an urgent response from the competent authorities.
In a comment posted under Mašina’s Instagram announcement, in which the newsroom invites followers to support their work through donations, the user account batko67 left a threat, writing: “The only thing I’ll donate you is a bullet to the forehead.”
After the newsroom informed the public about this, a number of disturbing comments followed, including a new threat stating: “You’ll end up in a barrel,” posted by the person behind the account Yvan Luka Benyx.
IJAS reminds the public that such messages constitute explicit threats of violence and attempts at intimidation aimed at discouraging, silencing, or forcing journalists into self-censorship. Although the first threat has since been deleted, it has been reported to the Special Prosecutor’s Office for High-Tech Crime.
IJAS expects the competent prosecutor’s office to conduct an adequate investigation and, as soon as possible, identify and prosecute the individuals behind the accounts mentioned above. We also stress that effective action by institutions is crucial to combating impunity, which fuels new threats and attacks against journalists and the media. Impunity contributes to an environment in which violence against journalists is normalized and becomes “acceptable” in the public sphere.
The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia will continue to monitor this case and provide support to the Mašina newsroom.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS)
Belgrade, 25 May 2026
