Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic accused journalists of provoking violence. He reacted to the statement from the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS/IAJS) regarding their efforts to provide protective equipment for journalists reporting from the protests. Pavol Szalai, Head of the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) European Union-Balkans Desk, told the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) that he has two messages for the President Vucic.
“The first is that the truth will come to light regarding who is perpetrating violence against whom. We have recorded 89 physical attacks on journalists reporting from protests since November 1, 2024. That is a record number. I am confident that one day justice will be served for all these cases, which were not provoked by journalists but by the police and pro-government activists,” Szalai told ANEM.
The second message, he added, is that they are very proud to assist NUNS in distributing equipment and supporting Serbian journalists. According to him, Reporters Without Borders has provided financial and technical support to Serbian journalists so they can work more safely.
“And finally, I want to appeal to the international community that now is the time for mobilization to ensure justice is served for the crimes committed against journalists and to allow journalists to report safely from protests. Financial, diplomatic, and political support from all democratic forces around the world is needed to support Serbian journalists,” Szalai said.
He emphasized that RSF stands with journalists in Serbia, no matter what happens next.
On October 29, Reporters Without Borders said that since November 1, 2024, media professionals in Serbia have been victims of at least 89 physical attacks. The total for 2025 stands at 82 cases, which is the highest number of annual cases since 2008. About half of the violence was perpetrated by police officers who, moreover, turn a blind eye when pro-government activists attack journalists.
“We pay tribute to Serbian journalists who heroically report on protests while facing the institutionalization of violence by the regime of President Aleksandar Vucic. We call on the international community to provide financial, legal, and political support so they can work safely and so that their attackers are brought to justice. Press freedom in Serbia is at stake, as is our right to be informed about events in this country, which is a candidate for European Union (EU) membership, including respect for the right to assemble by the authorities,” stated Pavol Szalai, director of the RSF bureau in Prague, in the press release.
Source: N1
