The undersigned journalists’ and media organizations express concern for the survival of the independent local news portal IN Medija from Inđija, following the decision of the Court of Appeals in Belgrade to uphold the first-instance ruling of the Higher Court, ordering the editorial team to pay a total of 161,000 dinars in damages and legal fees. The lawsuit was filed over an article reporting that the Inđija municipality gifted children honey marketed for potency. This is the first ruling among seven identical SLAPP lawsuits filed against the portal. We fear the outcomes in the remaining cases will follow the same pattern, potentially leading to the shutdown of this independent media outlet.
The proceedings concluded unusually quickly, given that the lawsuit was filed in March of last year.
“We received the first-instance ruling in October, after which we filed an appeal. The Court of Appeals simply upheld the original decision—100,000 dinars in damages and 61,000 for legal fees, to be paid within 8 days,” said Verica Marinčić, editor-in-chief of IN Medija.
“Either we shut down, or we raise the money,” she added.
It is paradoxical that no one has been held accountable for the mistake made by the local authorities, while the media outlet that exposed it is being punished.
SLAPP lawsuits (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) represent an abuse of the right to sue, intended to intimidate and financially exhaust journalists and editorial teams. These lawsuits are increasingly used as a tool to stifle free expression, particularly targeting small, local, and independent media, which are already struggling due to lack of funding from public competitions and institutions.
The case of IN Medija clearly demonstrates how SLAPP lawsuits can lead to the closure of media outlets, which would represent a serious blow to media pluralism and the public’s right to be informed.
The Council of Europe and the European Parliament have already recognized SLAPP lawsuits as a threat to democracy and urged member states to introduce legal mechanisms to prevent such abuse. Unfortunately, the term SLAPP has not yet been formally recognized in Serbia, but the practice of filing multiple identical lawsuits clearly constitutes judicial abuse aimed at silencing the press.
It is essential that the state recognizes the SLAPP problem and, in line with the recommendations of the Council of Europe and the European Union, takes all necessary steps to combat this form of media freedom suppression.
IN Medija has served the public interest of the citizens of Inđija and Serbia for years. Now, it needs our solidarity.
If you wish to support their work, you can donate to the following account (RSD):
105-2349723-44
For international donations:
105-0595120012960-58
IBAN: RS35105059512001296058
We must not allow media to be shut down for telling the truth.
In Belgrade, July 14, 2025
Association of Media
Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)
Online Media Association (AOM)
GS KUM “Nezavisnost”
Lokal Pres
Independent Journalists’ Association of Vojvodina (NDNV)
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS)
Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation
