In a significant move, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) General Assembly convened on June 3 in Budapest, to express deep concern over the alarming rise in attacks, threats, and pressure on journalists in Serbia. The resolution was put forth by the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) and the Trade Union of Culture, Arts, and Media “Nezavisnost.” The assembly underscored a troubling pattern of violence and a culture of impunity defining Serbia’s media landscape. The statistics paint a stark picture; in 2024, there were 166 recorded incidents of aggression and intimidation against journalists, followed by another 128 cases in just the first five months of 2025. The SafeJournalists Network has stressed the disturbing trend of physical violence and institutional pressure against journalists in the country, especially those reporting on protests and political gatherings, such as the two separate attacks against photojournalist Gavrilo Andrić. The network further emphasized that police are not only failing to protect journalists but are also, in some instances, perpetrators of violence or complicit through their inaction, fostering a culture of impunity that discourages critical reporting. This ongoing crisis poses significant implications for press freedom in the region. Read more here.
Source: SafeJournalists