The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) strongly condemns the brutal threats and insults directed at the editorial team of the daily Danas in a comment posted under one of the articles on its website.
The comment, signed “May God Destroy Your Seed,” contains a series of insults, curses, and open calls for violence against journalists:
“May God grant that all employees of Danas be severely afflicted and that their entire seed be destroyed… In the name of Christ, we pray to God that Danas and all its terrorist employees be punished in the worst possible way and pay the highest price for all their crimes against Serbia and the Serbian people! DEATH TO TRAITORS! FILTHY CORRUPT SCUM, MAY A DOG F**K YOUR MOTHER IN THE MOUTH AND MAY YOUR CHILDREN BE IMPALED BY THE TURKS! You are corrupt garbage and terrorist Ustashas, GET LOST!”
Such expressions of hatred, including direct death threats, are not only unacceptable in public discourse but also represent a serious threat to the safety of journalists. IJAS warns that such messages are becoming increasingly frequent precisely because of impunity — as prosecutors often dismiss complaints, thereby encouraging further threats, violence, and hate speech against media professionals.
IJAS considers this comment a direct threat and attack on the safety of the Danas newsroom and calls on the competent authorities to act urgently — to identify and prosecute the author of the comment and demonstrate that such behavior will not go unpunished.
The Association reminds that freedom of expression cannot be used as an excuse for threats or hate speech, and that it is the duty of the state to ensure the protection of journalists and guarantee their right to work safely and with dignity.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS)
Belgrade, 15 October 2025
