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In April 2026, the Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (NUNS) recorded a total of **18 incidents involving journalists and media workers**. Two actual attacks and six cases of death threats and threats to the physical safety of journalists were documented, along with six other threats to journalists. Additionally, two attacks on media and media organizations, as well as two other threats to the media, were also recorded. Although a lower number of threats and attacks on journalists was noted, this did not reduce the level of their vulnerability. Throughout April, a violent narrative against the media continued, and serious threats were directed at journalists and media outlets. A severe and very violent threat was recorded against a female journalist, containing elements of gender-based violence, as well as serious targeting of journalists and media by high public officials in the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia.

Slavko Ćuruvija, the owner of the first private daily newspaper in Serbia, "Dnevni Telegraf," was murdered on April 11, 1999, in front of his house in Belgrade. After decades of fighting for accountability, the case reached a turning point in February 2024, when the Appellate Court in Belgrade issued a final acquittal for four former members of the State Security from the time of Slobodan Milošević, who had previously been found guilty of the murder. Although the Supreme Court of Serbia determined in January 2026 that this acquittal was based on "serious violations of the law" and misrepresented evidence, the ruling remains legally binding due to procedural protections. Today, this case is stalled in a state of complete impunity.

Member states of the European Union must demonstrate political leadership and join calls for the suspension of European funds to Serbia in order to prevent the spiral of violence against journalists from escalating into deadly attacks, ten media and press freedom organizations stated on Friday in a series of letters addressed to ministers for European affairs across Europe.

Pro-government media outlets such as Informer, Srpski Telegraf, Alo, Kurir, and Večernje Novosti, along with their associated portals, have received over 2.8 million euros for media projects from local governments, the Ministry of Information, and the Provincial Secretariat during a decade of project co-financing, according to research by Cenzolovka. More than half of this amount came from the budget of the City of Belgrade—approximately 1.5 million euros. With the funds that the City generously allocated to these tabloids, it could have provided 680,000 meals for users of the Soup Kitchen, purchased around thirty ambulances, acquired eight mammography machines, or built a small kindergarten.

In the 94 commissions established to evaluate media projects to date, only 43 different candidates have been selected, according to an analysis by the Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS).

The regional information agency JUGpress is celebrating a significant anniversary today—twenty years of existence and operation.

The "Right Media Measure" platform of the Media Association, which for the first time consolidates publicly available data on the media being measured in Serbia for the years 2020 and 2024, was presented at the premises of the OSCE Mission in Serbia in Belgrade.

The Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation recorded 156 verbal attacks by state officials on journalists and media in April 2026, directed through social media, in media appearances, as well as during sessions of the National Assembly. During this month, new narratives were observed that contribute to creating a hostile atmosphere, disqualifying journalists and media, and spreading distrust towards investigative journalism.

At the World Congress of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), held in Paris from May 4 to 7 to mark the centenary of this organization, a resolution was adopted today, submitted by the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS), which warns of the escalation of attacks on journalists, the imprisonment of media, and the continued decline of media freedoms in Serbia. This year's congress gathers nearly 300 representatives of journalist unions and associations from around the world, taking place in a year when the IFJ celebrates 100 years of existence.