The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS/NUNS) strongly condemns the recent attacks and threats against local journalists and media workers, which reflect a disturbing trend of jeopardizing their safety for reporting in the public interest.
During last night’s protest in Kraljevo, police officers struck Nenad Jovanović and Dragan Jeković, a reporter and cameraman for Nova S and N1 television. When members of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) began throwing various objects, firecrackers, and water at gathered citizens in front of the party’s office, the police responded by pushing back the crowd but failed to act against the attackers inside the ruling party’s premises. One police officer struck the cameraman multiple times with a baton, despite him clearly stating he was a member of the media on assignment. As a result of the blows, Jeković briefly dropped his camera, though fortunately, there was no serious damage.
IJAS calls on the competent institutions to immediately initiate proceedings and identify the police officer who exceeded his authority and used force against media workers. We also urge the Ministry of Internal Affairs to conduct an internal review and determine the responsibility of the officer involved in the violence.
Just a few days earlier, Kristina Demeter Filipčev, a journalist from the local outlet Bečejski Mozaik, received threats via Facebook. A user named Peđa Teomirović commented under a post about a memorial for the victims of the collapsed canopy at the Novi Sad train station, first insulting, then threatening the journalist.
“We’ll shave your head like the German whores in ’45,” he wrote, among other things. IJAS has reported the threats made against the Bečejski Mozaik journalist.
The editorial office of N1 television also received a threatening message, which IJAS reported as well. The message spread hatred, referring to N1 as “Nazi 1” and calling for them to be burned.
We expect the individuals behind these threats to be found and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The attacks, pressures, and threats that journalists face—particularly since the tragedy in Novi Sad—are becoming increasingly serious and direct, while police violence against journalists is becoming almost routine. The greatest responsibility for this climate lies with Serbian institutions, which fail to adequately punish those who threaten and attack journalists, especially the police, which continues to engage in violence without any accountability.
We once again urge the competent authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure that journalists and media workers can carry out their duties freely, safely, and professionally. Journalists working in the public interest must not be targets of attacks, threats, and intimidation—they must enjoy full protection from the state and the support of all relevant institutions.
We also reiterate our warning that threats and attacks on journalists are largely inspired by public statements made by high-ranking government officials, who routinely target independent and critical media. We demand an immediate end to such rhetoric.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS)
Belgrade, 30 July 2025
