Media watchdogs report rising threats against Serbian journalists

Media freedom watchdogs reported a sharp rise in threats against Serbian journalists throughout July. The Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia documented 19 safety incidents, including two physical assaults and 14 death threats. Meanwhile, the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation registered over 100 verbal attacks by state officials and ruling party members.

In Belgrade, public prosecutors opened an investigation after film director Stevan Filipović was beaten while photographing damage to a protected historic site. President Aleksandar Vučić condemned the attack and called for legal prosecution.

In Kosovo, the Journalists' Association of Serbia protested after several Serbian-language media outlets were denied entry to a parliamentary session in Pristina despite completing accreditation. Separately, media groups noted the implementation of new European Union rules requiring explicit disclosure when artificial intelligence is used to generate or modify content.

Sources: Beta, CDM, Danas, N1, Tanjug.