The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) strongly condemns the attack on journalist Žarko Bogosavljević, which occurred during last night’s events in Novi Sad. In a video circulating on social media, Bogosavljević can be heard repeatedly identifying himself as a journalist and emphasising that he was on the ground to do his job, but this did not prevent the attacker from assaulting him.
Several other colleagues from Reuters, Odjek and Storyteller were in the same group as Žarko and were also pushed and subjected to aggression, but Bogosavljević was the only one who received several blows, as he told IJAS. He also noted that everyone was clearly marked with press insignia. IJAS believes this attack demonstrates how risky journalists’ work at public gatherings has become, even when journalists clearly identify themselves and act professionally.
Particularly alarming is the fact that the attack took place in the presence of the police, without a timely and effective response. IJAS recalls that from March through the end of last year it recorded 77 cases of attacks and harassment of journalists in the presence of the police, in which the police failed to respond adequately, passively observed events, and in some cases even participated in attacks on journalists. Unfortunately, this case shows that such a trend continues.
As Žarko Bogosavljević told IJAS, a lawyer from the Independent Journalists’ Association of Vojvodina (IJAV) will file a criminal complaint against those responsible as soon as possible, requesting that the prosecutor’s office and the police urgently identify the attacker, collect all relevant evidence (including video footage), and conduct an effective investigation.
We also demand that the Ministry of the Interior establish responsibility of the police officers who failed to protect journalists on the ground and, without delay, take measures to ensure that journalists can report safely from public gatherings.
Attacks on journalists must stop. The safety of journalists is a prerequisite for free media and a democratic society, and any further inaction by institutions encourages new attacks and deepens the climate of impunity.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS)
Belgrade, 17 February 2026
