Two separate but equally disturbing incidents – death threats against journalists from the Autonomija portal and brutal insults and threats directed at the N1 team – once again highlight how exposed journalists in Serbia are to attacks while doing their job, and how the lack of an adequate institutional response endangers media freedom.
A message was sent to journalists from the Autonomija portal via their official Facebook page by an individual identifying himself on the platform as Dobrica Ristić, calling them “communo-Ustashas” and stating that “they will all be rewarded with two 9.2 mm” bullets for their posts – a clear reference to a type of firearm.
The threat came after Autonomija reported throughout the day on incidents during the opening of an exhibition in Bački Petrovac, as well as on the painting of graffiti and tricolor flags by SNS supporters in the Liman 2, 3, and 4 neighborhoods, which local residents opposed.
The threat was immediately reported to the competent prosecutor’s office.
N1 journalist Jelena Mirković and cameraman Denijal Dabić were subjected to harsh insults and profanities while reporting from a citizens’ and students’ protest in Vrbas. One of the attackers, part of a group of SNS supporters, initially wore a mask and then removed it, threatening to slit their throats while making a recognizable hand gesture across his neck. During the live broadcast, members of the group obstructed the team’s work by shining laser beams into the journalist’s and cameraman’s eyes, as well as directly into the camera.
IJAS emphasizes that it is essential for the relevant authorities to begin sanctioning attacks on journalists and for the police to ensure their ability to work safely while reporting. These threats and attacks directly jeopardize media freedom.
We warn that institutional passivity in such cases is dangerous, as it sends a message that journalists are legitimate targets – especially those who cover topics of public interest and engage in critical reporting.
We remind that IJAS recorded 24 incidents in July alone in the SafeJournalists database that seriously endangered the safety of journalists and media workers. The majority of these incidents involved threats against journalists and entire newsrooms, while physical assaults – particularly by members of the police – were frequent and violent. Among the 24 incidents, 12 involved serious death threats and threats to journalists’ physical safety, and 8 actual physical attacks were recorded.
