ANEM alert: Dangerous targeting of journalists, activists, and politicians in a publication being distributed in Belgrade.
The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) considers the distribution of publications across Belgrade municipalities that target and present the most severe insults towards journalists, activists, and politicians to be concerning and dangerous.
The publication "Your Hands Are Bloody" presents alleged "organizers of the colored revolution," among whom, in addition to activists and politicians, are mentioned Dinko Gruhonjić, Ivan Ivanović, and Marko Vidojković. A photograph of Sanja Ignjatović Eker, a journalist from Nova S television, is also included.
As stated in this publication, Gruhonjić "has been poisoning Serbian youth for years, propagating 'genocide' in Srebrenica, and advocating for the secession of Vojvodina," while Ivanović is described as a "street thug from Banjica," and Vidojković is labeled as "drugged" and insults Vučić daily.
ANEM warns that such targeting and the distribution of materials that spread hate speech are unacceptable in a civilized society. We call on all relevant authorities to urgently identify and sanction the authors, publishers, and distributors of this material, as its content may pose dangerous consequences for the safety of the individuals mentioned.
We remind that the number of attacks, threats, and pressures on journalists since the beginning of the year is at a record high in Serbia's recent history, and that the police and relevant institutions must urgently respond to protect media freedom and citizen safety, as the impunity for such acts effectively encourages the repetition of similar cases.
This kind of atmosphere in society is a direct consequence of incendiary statements and the targeting of political dissenters and critical media by, primarily, the President of the country, as well as by ministers and high-ranking state officials. We once again appeal to public officials to be aware of their responsibility for the words they publicly express.
ANEM appeals for an immediate cessation of such statements, which are then disseminated by tabloids, where the campaign against certain individuals continues in violation of not only the professional and ethical standards of journalism but also basic democratic and human values.
Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)
The project "System for the Prevention of Violence and Protection of Journalists" is implemented by ANEM in partnership with Insider TV and the Center for the Development of Local Media, with the support of the European Union and the Balkan Democracy Fund.
