CPJ calls for protection of journalists ahead of Serbia’s elections — TimesLIVE
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on Serbian authorities to guarantee the safety of media workers during the snap parliamentary elections scheduled for October 25. The organization said that journalists covering the vote risk facing threats, violence and hostility. This was reported by TimesLIVE.
CPJ also called on Serbia’s European partners to closely monitor the situation, encourage Belgrade to uphold the rule of law and publicly respond to violations of press freedom. The Serbian government did not immediately comment on an AP request.
Reports of pressure on the media
According to CPJ, an international mission in March documented increased police violence, smear campaigns involving officials, impunity, legal and digital threats, as well as attempts by the ruling party to tighten control over the media.
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CPJ’s Europe representative Attila Mong described the situation of journalists in Serbia as alarming. According to him, conditions for their work are deteriorating ahead of the elections: the organization has numerous reports of attacks on reporters during rallies and other political events, while the online environment is becoming increasingly tense.
Threats against an N1 journalist
Danica Vucenic, a journalist for the regional television channel N1, told AP that in June she received a letter containing threats against her and her family. She said she regularly reports such incidents to the authorities, but this has yielded no results. Vucenic places responsibility for the atmosphere surrounding independent media on the country’s political authorities.
President Aleksandar Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Party will face a youth movement in the elections that has driven nearly two years of street protests following the railway station tragedy in November 2024. CPJ recommended that the authorities issue public instructions to police on protecting the media, respond promptly to threats, condemn violence and ensure that candidates are accessible to journalists.
