The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) strongly condemns insults, targeting, and rhetoric that incites hostility toward journalists and media outlets, which were expressed yesterday in the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, as well as death threats directed at journalists of the magazine Revolt.
The head of the parliamentary group of the Serbian Progressive Party, Milenko Jovanov, during the parliamentary debate referred to N1 television as “Šolak’s propaganda-terrorist garbage,” accusing the outlet of manipulating information and fabricating news. It is unacceptable for a member of parliament and a high-ranking government official to use dehumanizing and dangerous language toward the media, especially from a place that should represent democratic debate and respect for freedom of expression.
It is additionally concerning that MP Marijan Rističević continued insulting N1 and Nova S, stating that they were “created by psychopaths.” Such messages are not only politically irresponsible but also directly contribute to an atmosphere of hostility toward journalists and media workers who are professionally doing their job.
IJAS also warns about the scandalous statements by Minister of Culture Nikola Selaković regarding journalist and university professor Dinko Gruhonjić. The statement that Gruhonjić was “created for something bad to happen to him,” accompanied by a series of brutal and unfounded accusations, represents an extremely dangerous form of public targeting. When such messages come from state officials, they can have serious consequences for the safety of those targeted and further legitimize violence in the public sphere.
At the same time, after journalists of Revolt – Lazar Dinić and Ivan Bjelić – along with photographer Zorica Popović, were attacked and seriously injured while reporting on elections near Bor, the editorial team of Revolt continues to face harassment and brutal death threats on social media.
Particularly alarming are messages such as: “Death to traitors… you should all be killed,” as well as direct threats like “Death to N1,” along with other threats of brutal violence. Such messages constitute serious criminal offenses and must not be treated as mere “internet comments,” but as real and immediate threats to the safety of journalists and media workers.
NUNS reminds that hate speech, public targeting, and impunity for threats and attacks on journalists are among the key mechanisms of media intimidation in Serbia. When the highest state officials, ministers, and MPs use insulting, dehumanizing, and inflammatory language toward journalists, they not only undermine the dignity of public office but also directly contribute to creating an environment in which attacks on journalists are desirable, justified, or at least socially tolerated.
We demand that the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ana Brnabić, clearly condemn such statements by MPs and ensure that the parliamentary podium is not used to attack the media. We also call on the Government of Serbia to distance itself from the statements made by Minister Nikola Selaković, and urge all public officials to immediately stop targeting journalists, media outlets, and university professors.
At the same time, we call on the competent public prosecutor’s office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to urgently identify and prosecute those who issued threats to journalists of Revolt and N1 television, and to take all necessary measures to protect endangered journalists and media workers.
IJAS will inform both the domestic and international public about these cases, including relevant organizations for the protection of media freedom and journalist safety, as it is clear that a dangerous trend of public persecution, targeting, and endangerment of journalists continues in Serbia.
Media freedom cannot exist where journalists are called “garbage,” where targets are drawn on them, and where they are openly threatened with death. It is high time for institutions to start doing their job and demonstrate that the safety of journalists and freedom of expression are truly protected by law, and not merely declaratively.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Belgrade, April 22, 2026
