Serbian watchdogs report sharp rise in threats and attacks on media

Media watchdogs and journalism associations in Serbia have raised alarms over a surge in intimidation, verbal hostility, and physical violence targeting reporters and public figures.

During July, the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia recorded 19 security incidents, encompassing two physical assaults and 14 direct threats to physical safety. Concurrently, the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation documented at least 106 verbal attacks made by state officials and representatives of the governing Serbian Progressive Party against journalists and media outlets.

The reported wave of harassment coincides with several criminal probes. Prosecutors are investigating severe online death threats made against the local news portal Volim Zrenjanin, as well as a street assault in central Belgrade on film director Stevan Filipović. Other press organisations have condemned intimidation targeting the family of editor Dragan J. Vučićević alongside property damage against a reporter's car.

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