The Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN) strongly condemns the ongoing smear campaign targeting Maja Stojanović, prominent civil society activist, Executive Director of Civic Initiatives, and Board Member of BCSDN, as well as broader attacks on independent civil society in Serbia.
While public smearing directed at Civic initiatives has persisted for months, in recent weeks, Ms. Stojanović and the organizations have increasingly been subjected to disinformation and intimidation, particularly in response to their advocacy for a transparent selection process for the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM). The efforts of Civic Initiatives are vital in promoting accountability and transparency in Serbia’s media and political systems and strengthening civil society, making these attacks a direct threat to the integrity of civic engagement in the country. Instead of engaging in dialogue, state-aligned actors and media have sought to discredit and delegitimize their work, falsely portraying them as foreign operatives “orchestrating” the student protests.
This is part of a broader trend of increasing pressure on civil society in Serbia, where independent organizations, media, and human rights defenders face hostile rhetoric, legal threats, and financial constraints. Efforts to frame them as destabilizing actors contradict Serbia’s commitments to democratic governance, media freedom, and EU integration.
BCSDN Calls for Immediate Action
BCSDN stands in solidarity with Civic Initiatives and urges:
- Serbian authorities to cease smear campaigns and ensure civil society operates without intimidation.
- The European Union and international partners to address these pressures in the context of Serbia’s EU accession process.
- Media outlets to uphold ethical journalism standards and refrain from spreading false narratives.
BCSDN remains committed to supporting civil society in the region and in Serbia and defending democratic freedoms, accountability, and human rights.