GENEVA – Attacks against journalists and independent media outlets in Serbia have spiralled in the past year, UN experts* warned today, calling on the Government to end impunity for perpetrators of these crimes.
“We condemn the ongoing threats and attacks on journalists in Serbia that seem to take place within a broader, seemingly state-sponsored narrative against independent media, including N1 and other outlets of the United Media Group,” the experts said.
High ranking government officials have made threatening and other disparaging remarks against independent journalists in the country, calling them frauds and referring to their work as terrorism.
“This rhetoric by public officials is dangerous. It may be taken as tacit consent for attacks on journalists and leaves the door wide open for future threats and attacks,” they said.
Independent journalists now face almost daily threats, including of death, and feel unsafe reporting in public spaces. Journalists covering protests and rallies have been verbally and physically attacked. Police often do not intervene nor apprehend perpetrators, and have stopped journalists from reporting, even when wearing clearly marked press jackets.
“The rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, including the right to information for all, are even more critical during times of crisis. Serbia must stop these threats on independent media and ensure accountability for attacks on journalists,” the experts said. “Impunity for perpetrators perpetuates these attacks.”
“Independent media is not an enemy of States, but rather a critical element of functioning democracies.”
The experts are in touch with the Government of Serbia on this matter.
Source: OHCHR
