ANEM ALARM: Relevant institutions must urgently respond to the targeting of Đorđe Mijailović on V5 television.

On Tuesday, July 14, a correspondent for Nova S television gave a statement to the police in Valjevo regarding the alleged spread of falsehoods that a minor died last year after being beaten by the police. Mijailović emphasized in his police statement that although it was heard among the protesters, from whom he was reporting, that a boy had died as a result of the beating, he did not want to convey that information live on air since he could not verify it; instead, he stated that the boy was seriously injured and recovering.

A review of the recording of the N1 Direktno program, in which he participated live on August 16, 2025, clearly shows that the reporter stated that a minor from Valjevo was "brutally beaten by the police" and that he was "operated on in Belgrade." "According to the information we managed to obtain, he is now stable," Mijailović said during the program.

He repeated this in his statement to the police, highlighting to ANEM that the police officer who interrogated him was respectful and that everything went well.

However, on the same day, in the "Pretres" program of Valjevo television V5, author and host Andrea Veskov dedicated nearly ten minutes to this case, spreading falsehoods and targeting Đorđe Mijailović. She directly accused him of spreading news in the media on August 16 that a child had died, suggesting that during his police interview he was "sweating and a bit panicked from fear."

During this television program, it was heard that Mijailović confirmed to the police that he had relayed unverified information live on air, and the host added that he had committed a serious criminal offense for which he should face consequences, as well as that significant material damage had occurred due to him. The program host also questioned whether the Nova S correspondent had a "journalistic license," while his private photos from social media were displayed on the screen.

They also touched on Mijailović's legal representative, Vladimir Terzić, stating that he was a "criminal choice of lawyer."

ANEM warns the public that in recent weeks, dangerous campaigns have begun on the same television against all who do not share the same views as the authorities and pro-government media, and that no professional or ethical journalism standards are being respected.

This year, Valjevo television V5 was purchased by Best Media Teams, a subsidiary of the publishers of the tabloids Alo and Informer, which are among the record holders for violating the Code of Journalists of Serbia. In the competitions for project co-financing of media content, this local television has received a total of 6,730,000 dinars so far this year, in competitions held in Valjevo, Mionica, Ub, and the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications, of which they were supported for two projects amounting to 1,700,000 dinars.

"Such targeting of journalists and dissenters on public frequencies is extremely dangerous and threatens the safety of journalist Đorđe Mijailović, who is accused of committing a criminal offense that has caused chaos and significant material damage without any evidence or arguments. Unfortunately, we have witnessed increasing pressure on local journalists in recent weeks, who are often labeled in the media of this group. The case of V5 television now also shows how the process of project co-financing of media content in Serbia has been rendered meaningless, as we see that millions are awarded to those who do not respect not only journalistic standards but even civilizational ones. We must conclude that our money is being used for a war against professional journalists and media that protect the public interest," stated Veran Matić, President of the ANEM Management Board, member of the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists, and coordinator of the Safe Line for Journalists 0800 100 115.

Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)

The project "Improvement of the System Mechanism for Prevention and Response in Cases of Threats to the Safety and Lives of Journalists in Serbia" is being implemented by ANEM in partnership with Insider TV and the Center for the Development of Local Media, with the support of the European Union.

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