Serbian watchdogs report surge in threats against journalists

Journalism associations and monitoring groups in Serbia reported a sharp increase in threats and hostility targeting media workers throughout July and early August.

The Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia documented 19 safety incidents in July, including 14 physical threats and two assaults. Concurrently, the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation recorded over 100 verbal attacks against journalists, attributing a significant portion of statements to ruling Serbian Progressive Party officials.

Recent cases include online death threats directed at the local portal Volim Zrenjanin, a physical attack in Belgrade against film director Stevan Filipović, and home harassment targeting tabloid editor Dragan J. Vučićević. Prosecutors have initiated investigations into several incidents, while media associations across the political spectrum have called on authorities to penalize perpetrators and curb rhetoric that endangers reporters.

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