Serbian press groups report surge in threats and attacks against media workers

Media associations and monitoring bodies in Serbia have reported a significant surge in harassment, threats, and physical violence targeting journalists and public figures throughout July and early August.

The Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia documented 19 safety violations in July, including 14 death threats and two physical assaults. Concurrently, the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation registered at least 106 verbal attacks against journalists by state officials and members of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party. Recent incidents include an online death threat targeting the editor of local outlet Volim Zrenjanin and a physical assault against film director Stevan Filipović in Belgrade, which prompted an official prosecutorial investigation.

Incidents also affected pro-government media figures, including the intimidation of Informer editor Dragan J. Vučićević’s family and vehicle vandalism against another reporter. Media organizations have urged law enforcement authorities to promptly identify and prosecute those responsible.

Sources: Beta, CDM, Danas, N1, Tanjug