The International Press Institute and its partner organizations warned of a dire climate for the safety of journalists in Serbia.
“We warn that the current climate for the safety of journalists is so dire that we fear another journalist could be seriously injured or even killed unless urgent measures are taken to stop the downward spiral of violence,” a statement said.
The statement comes in the wake of an international freedom mission to Serbia organized by the Council of Europe’s Platform for the Safety of Journalists and Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and on the anniversary of the assassination of Serbian newspaper publisher Slavko Curuvija in 1999. The statement said that the failure of the Serbian judiciary to secure accountability for the killing of journalists is a shocking and a a symbol of the wider breakdown of the rule of law in the country and the inability of authorities to protect journalists.
It warned of hostile and irresponsible rhetoric against independent journalists from high-ranking government officials.
“Following the mission on March 26-27, … we warned that the current climate for the safety of journalists remains so toxic that the chances of further escalation in the severity of attacks against journalists are dangerously high. Since the mission, local elections saw yet another serious spike in violent attacks on journalists reporting from the streets.
On the anniversary of Ćuruvija’s murder, we again urge the Serbian state to uphold its responsibility to end the impunity for Curuvija’s murder. At the same time, the government must take concerted action to stop the cycle of violence against journalists in the country, lead by example in reducing tensions and hostility, and ensure journalist protection mechanisms are functioning properly. If authorities do not act, they will bear significant responsibility for any future attacks or killing of journalists.
The statement was signed by ARTICLE 19 Europe, Association of European Journalists, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), Index on Censorship, International Press Institute (IPI), Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Source: N1
