ANEM ALARM: Urgent action required due to horrifying threats against Radar journalists Vuk Cvijić and Milan Radonjić.
The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) strongly condemns the threatening and disturbing comments left under the investigative article by the weekly magazine Radar, authored by Vuk Cvijić and Milan Radonjić, titled “Vučko is now our brother, Andrej is the main one, godfather,” which addresses the Sky communications and the alleged connections between government representatives and organized crime groups. The comments left under the name Đuro directly address journalists Cvijić and Radonjić by name, containing brutal insults and explicit messages with allusions to murder and sexual violence against children. ANEM demands an immediate response from the competent prosecutor's office and police, the identification of the individual behind these messages, and the implementation of all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the journalists and editors of Radar, as well as their family members.
It is particularly concerning that the comments are directed at the media and journalists reporting on issues of exceptional public interest, including the work of the police and security services, as well as texts regarding alleged connections between state representatives and organized crime.
ANEM reminds that the journalists of Radar, Vuk Cvijić and Milan Radonjić, have previously been subjected to threats, attacks, pressures, public targeting, and intimidation campaigns due to their professional work. Cvijić has been physically attacked on multiple occasions, including when police officers suddenly sprayed him with chemical agents from behind while he was carrying out his journalistic duties.
It is essential that the relevant institutions take the new threats against Radar journalists extremely seriously and urgently implement measures to protect their safety. ANEM demands that the competent public prosecutor's office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs promptly identify the individuals behind these comments and assess the security risks to the journalists and the editorial office to which the messages were directed.
We warn that threats and harassment of journalists must not be relativized or viewed as a normal part of public debate, especially when they contain mentions of violence against children and allusions to death. The impunity for threats against journalists encourages new attacks and further jeopardizes media freedom in Serbia.
ANEM expresses full solidarity with the editorial staff of Radar and expects the relevant institutions to act urgently and effectively in this case, so that journalists can carry out their work without hindrance and fear.
Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)
The project “Improvement of the System for Prevention and Response Mechanisms in Cases of Threats to the Safety and Lives of Female and Male Journalists in Serbia” 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.
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