The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) strongly condemns the latest threats sent to journalists of the weekly Radar through comments posted on their website, which represent a direct threat to their safety and an attempt to intimidate the newsroom.
A person registered under the nickname “tajfun” posted a threatening message below Milan Ćulibrk’s article “Six Times More Money for Rafales Than for All Capital Investments”, which, along with hate speech and the crudest insults, contains statements that undoubtedly include elements of a threat of violence: “…I’ll f*** your Ustaša mother, Ćulibrk’s too, you Ustaša scum — we’ll wipe you out so that such scum never sprouts again. We’ll wipe you out, be sure of it; it won’t be long before that happens.”
IJAS calls on the competent authorities to react without delay, identify and prosecute the author of these threats, and by acting efficiently send a clear message that threats and violence against journalists are unacceptable. Particularly alarming is the fact that Radar journalists have been facing increasingly frequent threats in recent months, including death threats, which points to ongoing pressure and an atmosphere of incitement and lynching.
We remind the public that threats made online are not “just comments”, but a real security risk. Anonymity on platforms must not serve as a shield for perpetrators: digital traces exist, and institutions have the mechanisms to identify those responsible when there is the will to act swiftly and thoroughly. Impunity for such threats encourages further attacks and further deteriorates an already endangered environment for media work in Serbia.
Journalism in the public interest must never be a reason for targeting and threats. The safety of journalists is a prerequisite for media freedom.
IJAS will continue to monitor this case and insist on an urgent and effective response by the authorities.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS)
Belgrade, 12 February 2026
