ANEM alarm: Horrific insults from Anđeli Risantijević of Glasa Zaječara on Facebook.

Journalists from the Voice of Zaječar, Anđela Risanijević and Miljko Stojanović, held a live broadcast on their Facebook page where they answered questions from readers and citizens of Zaječar. After receiving several insults and derogatory comments during the live stream, Risanijević responded, after which the girl who had been sending such messages continued to message her privately, insulting her and mentioning her family members in a horrifying context.

Risanijević told ANEM that she reported the individual to Facebook for harassment.

“I believe that the very fact that someone thinks it is normal to communicate in this manner in the 21st century reflects how much our society has declined. I received a large number of messages and calls, and many friends advised me to report the case to the prosecutor's office and the police. From the example of my colleague Miljko Stojanović, whose mobile phone was recently confiscated during work in the presence of the police—who did nothing to prevent it, and neither did the prosecutor's office—I learned that one should not trust these two institutions,” emphasizes Risanijević.

Regarding the latest messages, she adds that her sisters, unfortunately, “are not with us and their life paths ended in their prime years.”

“I have nothing against attacks on me and my work, but touching on someone’s family and their most cherished memories is an unprecedented crime. This speaks to the kind of inhuman beings they are. Of course, it is uncomfortable; the thought that someone could harm my family out of hatred towards me is frightening. But I know how much the truth frightens them, and therefore I have a duty to all the citizens of Zaječar and free-thinking individuals to suppress my fear and pain,” states the journalist from Zaječar.

ANEM once again reminds that such harassment of journalists in Serbia due to their work is the result of a long-term negative campaign, targeting, and societal atmosphere that arise from the narrative of the state leadership towards critical and professional media. This leads to anyone feeling entitled, especially on social media, to harass journalists and send them the worst insults and threats, which is unacceptable and contributes to jeopardizing the safety of media workers.

We call on journalists to report all cases of harassment, pressure, and threats to the relevant authorities, despite the growing distrust in state institutions, and to inform journalistic and media associations, which will continue to monitor these cases through existing communication mechanisms and insist on clarifying the unacceptable attacks, threats, and pressures on colleagues.

Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)

The “System for the Prevention of Violence and Protection of Journalists” project is carried out by ANEM in partnership with Insider TV and the Center for the Development of Local Media, with support from the European Union and the Balkan Fund for Democracy.