The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia expresses concern over the incident that took place on 23 June in front of the EXPO company headquarters in Kralja Milana Street in Belgrade, when three unknown men approached journalists from the Center for Investigative Journalism of Serbia (CINS) while they were promoting a new story and handing out printed excerpts of the investigation to citizens.
Three CINS journalists were on a public surface, in front of the EXPO building, where they were filming and distributing material about the new investigation to passers-by. CINS told IJAS that everything had been peaceful until three men in civilian clothes approached them, coming physically close to the journalists in a way that invaded their personal space and caused them to feel pressured and uncomfortable.
The men asked the journalist team to move from the place where they were standing, making comments such as that what they were doing was “neither fair nor friendly”, and that what was written in the material they were distributing was “not true”. They also asked them whether they knew what EXPO was and whether they were against it. When the journalists asked them who they were and whether they worked for EXPO, they replied that they were “also activists, only from the other side”. The journalists then told them that they were not activists, but journalists.
It is particularly concerning that one of the men, after the other two had moved away, came very close to the journalist who was filming the event, asked to see the footage and demanded that it be deleted, claiming that he had not given permission to be filmed. According to information IJAS received, one short video was deleted, while two other short videos show two of the three people who approached the journalist team. The journalists also noticed that one of the men, when he first approached them, turned on the voice recorder on his phone, which further indicates that the interaction was deliberately aimed at controlling and pressuring the journalists.
IJAS notes that the CINS journalists were on a public surface. We also reiterate that journalists have the right to film and document events of public interest in public places, and that any physical approach, insistence that they move away, and especially a demand to delete recorded material, represents a serious form of pressure and intimidation.
Although in this case there was no physical contact, direct threat or attack, the manner in which the unknown men approached the journalists, their insistence that they move away, and the demand that the footage be deleted send a clear message of intimidation.
IJAS particularly emphasizes that journalists must not be subjected to pressure because they are doing their job, filming, asking questions, speaking with citizens or presenting the results of investigations to the public. Any attempt to restrict journalists’ movement in a public space or to demand that they delete recorded material represents an attack on media freedom and the public’s right to be informed.
It is clear that such pressure is the result of long-standing impunity for attacks, threats and intimidation against journalists. In order to stop such incidents, it is necessary for the police and judicial institutions to urgently and effectively protect journalists, and to sanction those who threaten and physically endanger them in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Serbia.
The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia will record this case in its databases of attacks and pressures against journalists and will inform relevant international institutions and organizations about it.
Watch the video of the incident here.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Belgrade, 25 June 2026
