The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS/NUNS) strongly condemns the series of attacks, intimidation, and obstruction of journalists who reported today from protests organized by supporters of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in several cities across Serbia. Throughout the day, numerous incidents were recorded in which members of the police, the Gendarmerie, and individual citizens violently prevented journalists from doing their work, thereby directly endangering media freedom and the public’s right to be informed.
In Zaječar, police officers physically assaulted Glas Zaječara journalist Miljko Stojanović, knocking him to the ground and hitting the phone out of his hand. His colleague Anđela Risantijević, who tried to protect him, was also pushed. When Stojanović attempted to report the attack to Police Chief Igor Jeftić, Jeftić seized his phone, after which members of the intervention unit continued to hit him and forcibly removed him from the scene.
In Novi Sad, police officers repeatedly pushed and obstructed Mašina journalist Darija Stjepić while she was reporting, despite her clearly visible press identification and the fact that she repeatedly stated she was a journalist—something visible in a video published on the outlet’s Instagram profile.
Also in Novi Sad, a member of the Gendarmerie ordered Storyteller journalist Brankica Matić to remain at the scene to act as a witness to what he described as inappropriate behavior by a citizen. When the journalist replied that she had not seen anything, he roughly grabbed her by the arm and demanded her ID card, despite her clearly displayed press credentials and repeated presentation of her journalist ID.
Beta and Autonomija journalist Dalibor Stupar reported that members of the Gendarmerie seized his phone and drove him away while he was recording the arrest of a citizen, despite his clearly visible press vest and identification. According to Stupar, even though he stated that he was not interfering with the police, he was forced behind the cordon, where his phone was later returned.
That same day, in central Novi Sad, a man attacked N1 journalist Lea Apro while she was reporting from the gathering of government supporters and other civic protests. He threatened her, and when she tried to walk away, he followed her, grabbed her by the arm, and physically snatched her phone. Thanks to the quick reaction of bystanders, the attacker was prevented from escaping and was detained by the Gendarmerie.
In Novi Pazar, the A1 portal crew—two journalists and a cameraman—was subjected to prolonged detention and a detailed search of their equipment and personal belongings by the police, preventing them from reporting in real time. Despite clearly displayed press badges and vests, the officers held them “for detailed inspection,” and one journalist was detained for not carrying an ID card, even though she had properly identified herself as a journalist. The incident was recorded and published by the A1 portal newsroom.
NUNS reminds that such incidents represent a continuation of a deeply disturbing trend: according to our data, in September alone, there were 31 recorded cases of attacks, threats, or obstruction of journalists, eight of which were committed by members of the police. The year 2025 has already set a record for the highest number of attacks, threats, and pressures on media workers in Serbia’s recent history, totaling 253 cases.
We demand that the Ministry of Interior and other competent institutions immediately initiate disciplinary and criminal proceedings against all officers who exceeded their authority and used violence to prevent journalists from reporting, and to ensure conditions in which all journalists can perform their work freely and safely.
The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia will provide legal, psychological, and all other forms of assistance to colleagues who have been attacked, threatened, or obstructed in their work.
We call on all journalists, cameramen, and media workers who experienced any incidents or obstruction today to immediately contact NUNS through the known communication channels or via the emergency reporting line at 060/6882231 for case documentation and support.
Belgrade, 11.10.2025.
