The SafeJournalists Network strongly condemns the brutal threats directed at the newsroom of television station N1, as well as the public accusation by the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, who described the reporting by N1 and Nova S television as “pure terrorism.” Such rhetoric from the highest state officials constitutes a direct incitement to violence against journalists and a misuse of institutions, with serious consequences for journalists’ safety.
After President Vučić targeted journalists from N1 and Nova, and Dragan J. Vučićević, the editor-in-chief of the pro-government tabloid Informer, publicly called for their arrest, the N1 newsroom received a series of messages containing explicit death threats, insults, and calls for physical violence. Messages such as:
“…police, break those bastards,” “you will pay for this indirect call for civil war,” “you will hang sooner or later on Terazije,” “you will soon be burned,” “line them all up and shoot,” “…the time has come for a major showdown, no one can stop us… wherever we see anyone from N1 THEY WILL BE DEAD THIS IS NOT A THREAT THIS IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU DON’T OBEY,” are just some of the many threats sent to N1 journalists.
N1 and Nova are among the few media outlets that report professionally on protests in Serbia, including acts of civil disobedience initiated by students. Their journalism is essential for the public and the democratic order, and attacks against them are attacks on media freedom and the public’s right to information. Particularly unacceptable are calls for prosecutors to act on false accusations made by the highest representatives of government.
The SafeJournalists Network calls on President Vučić to stop targeting the media and journalists, and to take responsibility for his statements, refraining from inciting violence in society as a holder of one of the highest offices in the state. We also call on the Prosecutor’s Office for High-Tech Crime and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to urgently identify and prosecute those responsible for the threats sent to the N1 newsroom.
The protection of journalists who perform their duties professionally and courageously must be a priority for every democratic state. We call on all relevant domestic and international actors to monitor the situation closely and show solidarity with the attacked colleagues.
Every attack on journalists is an attack on democracy, the public interest, and fundamental human rights.
Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica, July 1st, 2025
Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Association of Journalists of Macedonia
BH Journalists Association
Croatian Journalists’ Association
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Trade Union of Media of Montenegro
