Serbian watchdog groups report surge in threats against journalists

Serbian press associations and monitoring groups have reported a marked rise in threats, harassment, and violence targeting journalists and cultural figures across the country.

The Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia recorded 19 safety incidents involving media workers during July, comprising two physical assaults and 14 direct death threats. Concurrently, the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation registered at least 106 verbal attacks by government officials and ruling party representatives over the same month.

Incidents have touched diverse media outlets. The Journalists' Association of Serbia called for legal action after online death threats targeted local news portal Volim Zrenjanin, while the Association of Independent Media condemned intimidation directed at editor Dragan J. Vučićević. Additionally, Belgrade prosecutors have initiated an inquiry into a physical assault on filmmaker Stevan Filipović in the capital.

Sources: Beta, CDM (Cafe del Montenegro), Danas, N1, Tanjug