A smear campaign was launched against the investigative portal KRIK, emerging in Serbia’s major government-funded tabloids. The organization (a member of the Organised Crime and Corruption Research Network (OCCRP), was connected with an organized criminal group headed by a recently-arrested crime boss, under investigation for several murders. The campaign made unsupported and inaccurate claims that the criminal fed information to KRIK for publication. Not only that this act discredits the work of investigative journalists, but it also endangers their physical safety. The International Press Institute (IPI) and several other press freedom groups condemned the smear campaign against KRIK, alluding that allegations may be used as a pretense to initiate police investigation of the independent outlet and use state entities to intimidate the outlet further. SafeJournalists Network condemned the abusive speech and called public persons and politicians to behave appropriately in their public appearance. Read more here.
Source: Civicus Monitor, International Press Institute, SafeJournalists Network