News

A round table titled “SLAPP Lawsuits and the Legal Framework in Serbia: The Need for Protection of Freedom of Expression” was held today at the premises of the Independent Journalists' Association of Vojvodina (NDNV) in Novi Sad. The event was organized by the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS) and the organization Partners Serbia.

The National Working Group to Combat SLAPPs strongly condemns the new, third lawsuit filed by Judge Dušanka Đorđević of the Belgrade Court of Appeals against the journalists of KRIK and their database "Prosudi ko sudi." 

The Culture and Information Committee adopted a list of organizations and candidates for the selection of members of the Council of the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM) from the remaining two categories - associations of composers, film, stage, and dramatic artists, and the category of associations for the protection of children.

The President of the Board of the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM), Veran Matić, stated that since August there have been more than 22 attacks by police officers on journalists, and that these attacks were anticipated during gatherings of government supporters against the blockades.

The Youth Initiative for Human Rights (Initiative) has submitted complaints to numerous regulatory bodies and competent institutions in the United Kingdom, urging them to take urgent action in response to concerning allegations regarding the involvement of the British investment firm BC Partners in undermining media freedoms in Serbia.

The judge of the Appellate Court in Belgrade, Dušanka Đorđević, has filed a new, third lawsuit against journalists from KRIK regarding the database "Prosudi ko sudi," in which we investigated the work of the judiciary. The judge has submitted a criminal complaint seeking a 10-month prison sentence and a two-year ban on practicing journalism for KRIK editor Bojana Jovanović and Jelena Radivojević due to an alleged violation of the right to privacy. She previously filed two lawsuits—criminal and civil—which the Coalition Against SLAPP lawsuits in Europe (CASE) has characterized as classic SLAPP lawsuits filed without merit, aimed at pressuring journalists to stop reporting on certain topics.

In light of the rapidly growing crisis of media freedom in the region, which is most pronounced in Serbia, a coalition of organizations for the international protection of media freedoms, journalists, and freedom of expression is calling on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to draw the attention of the relevant authorities to the threats against journalists and media pluralism during her visit to the Western Balkans from October 13 to 16.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) held its 66th session today in 2025, during which it was decided to accredit a total of 28 local and international media organizations to monitor the upcoming local elections for mayors and municipal assemblies.

In September, the Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (NUNS) recorded a total of 31 incidents involving journalists and media workers. Although the number of reported cases is slightly lower compared to the previous month, their severity indicates that the situation remains very concerning. The majority of attacks occurred during protests organized across Serbia.