European Monitoring Mechanism: Toxic environment for journalists in Serbia is worrying

The toxic environment in which journalists work in Serbia is worrying, according to an analysis on media freedoms in 2022 by the non-governmental European Monitoring Mechanism for the Support and Protection of Journalists “Media Freedom Rapid Response”.

The report, prepared by the European Centre for Press Freedom (ECPMF), the International Press Institute (IPI) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), says the toxic environment in Serbia is inspired by politicians and media outlets that label journalists as traitors or enemies of the state who promote intimidation, Voice of America reports.

The report records 41 reports of press freedom violations by 60 individuals or media outlets in Serbia.

“Most of the cases were verbal attacks (32 cases, 78%), while 13 were online and on social networks. “Five were filmed while carrying out journalistic tasks or in public places, such as covering demonstrations or rallies,” the document says.

Physical threats are the second most common type of attack against journalists in Serbia, with ten targets in 2022, three of them while covering a Europride event, the report says.

The report states that the Belgrade-based newspaper “Danas” has been the target of “serious threats to the physical safety of journalists” on at least five occasions.

“These included abusive and threatening messages on social networks and anonymous emails consisting of death threats with firearms. As mentioned, the authorities took this threat very seriously and provided permanent police protection outside the newsroom,” the analysis reads.

It was also pointed out that two bomb threats were addressed to the offices of the “Adrija Media Group”, which has nearly ten media outlets.

The cases of journalists Nenad Kulacin and Veran Matic were also cited, who were intimidated by posters with their image in a negative context on the streets of Belgrade and Vranje.

“In the case of Kulacin, his residential address was published, while derogatory photographs were published about Matić,” the analysis reads.

The report adds that between January and December 2022, 813 cases of violations of media freedom were recorded in EU Member States and candidate countries. A total of 1,339 individuals or media organisations were reportedly targeted./Beta/