ANEM ALARM: Intensified threats and dangerous targeting of multiple local journalists in Serbia.

Journalist and editor of the Novi Sad portal Razglas News, Žarko Bogosavljević, received threats from an anonymous social media profile following the news of Ratko Mladić's death, including messages such as "let's meet to see who the war criminal is" and "I'm going to shove a cucumber up your a**."

On the other hand, Dragan Todorović, the editor of the portal eStvarnost from Aranđelovac, is facing a series of false accusations from various Facebook profiles and pages after a report on the book by Radovan B. Milić, titled "My Colony." The posts on these pages accuse Todorović and Milić of being traitors and foreign agents. It is even claimed that "the Croatian secret service married the killer Radovan Milić to Dragan Todorović, the editor of the insignificant internet site eStvarnost," and that "through this secret love affair, the Croatian service gained another exponent in Aranđelovac." The posts also feature manipulated photographs of Todorović and Milić.

In response to these posts, Todorović filed a criminal complaint with the police station in Aranđelovac against unidentified individuals behind the Facebook pages "Secret Services," "Srbi.si," "Scepan Scekic," "I Love Serbia," "Only the Truth," "NPR Movement," and others that published the disputed content.

Also under attack on social media, as well as in tabloids, is Veselin Petrović, an activist and journalist who runs the Instagram pages "Palilula Info" and "Wandering Reporter," following media coverage of the landfill on Ada Huja and Milić's Hill, specifically regarding the creation of a construction waste dump. Work at these locations was halted after media reporting, but then intensified pressure on Petrović began, targeting his home, publishing footage of his property, and orchestrated attacks on social media.

On social media, he is accused of being the "leader of the blockers," being connected to criminal structures, and that he should be arrested. Content from social media was subsequently picked up by media outlets such as Informer, B92, Novosti, NS Live, and others.

Journalist Miljko Stojanović from Glas Zaječara is also facing continuous targeting and attacks on social media, which intensified after he reported from the Pride caravan in Zaječar, and since yesterday, following the news of Ratko Mladić's death, has been further exacerbated by posts and messages such as "don't forget that the Zaječar journalist wrote this for the hero of the homeland."

ANEM draws attention to the important role and significance of local media and journalists in informing citizens about issues of public interest, emphasizing that any pressure, threats, and interference in journalists' work are unacceptable in a democratic society.

Local media in Serbia have been facing a severe financial situation for years, and despite the struggle for survival, they continue to bravely and professionally report to the public on all important events and issues. At the same time, in the last two years, in addition to financial problems, the safety of local journalists has been further endangered, and any targeting of them with false information and accusations can have dangerous consequences for their safety and that of their families.

"Such cases are a direct consequence of the narrative towards independent and critical journalists coming from the highest state and local officials, and we once again remind public officials that they must be aware of their responsibility for publicly spoken words and call on them to publicly condemn any threats, pressure, and attacks on all journalists. This atmosphere is also contributed to by impunity in the last two years, sending the wrong message to the public that attacks on media workers are permissible and that no one will be held accountable for such actions. Therefore, we appeal to the relevant authorities to urgently begin doing their job, protect journalists, and ensure they can work freely in professionally informing the community," stated Veran Matić, Chairman of the ANEM Management Board, member of the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists, and operator of the Safe Line for Journalists 0800 100 115.

Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)

The project "Enhancing the Mechanism for Prevention and Response to Threats to the Safety and Life of Female and Male Journalists in Serbia" is being implemented by ANEM in partnership with Insajder TV and the Center for the Development of Local Media, with the support of the European Union.

The OSCE Mission to Serbia has supported ANEM's project "24/7 SOS Hotline for Assistance to Journalists and Other Threatened Media Workers" as part of the EU-funded project "Strengthening Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom in Serbia."