ANEM ALARM: Relevant authorities must urgently respond to the monstrous threats against Forbes editor Ivan Radak.

In a comment on the article “Radak: Study on the profitability of EXPO does not inspire confidence – do we really need this luxury fair?”, a person signed as “Orkan” addressed Ivan Radak with the words: “I will f*** your traitorous Ustaša mother, Radak; we will eradicate lying scum like you so that you never rise again.” This threat has been reported by the Independent Journalist Association of Serbia (NUNS) to the Special Prosecution for High-Tech Crime.

ANEM considers it unacceptable for such threats against journalists to go unpunished, as has been the case with numerous similar incidents over the past two years during which professional and critical journalists and media have faced drastically compromised safety.

“Instead of prioritizing the identification and prosecution of individuals who threaten media workers, we are typically left without any reaction from the prosecution and police. Only fear remains for those who have been threatened and their families,” stated Veran Matić, President of the Board of ANEM, member of the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists, and operator of the Safe Line for Journalists 0800 100 115.

The state is obliged, we remind once again, to ensure freedom of speech, which is one of the fundamental conditions for democracy, as well as to protect all journalists and media so they can perform their work in accordance with professional standards without obstruction or pressure.

We urge journalists and media representatives to regularly report any threats to their safety while performing their work via the Safe Line 0800 100 115.

Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)

The project “Improvement of the Prevention and Response Mechanism in Cases of Threats to the Safety and Life of Female and Male Journalists in Serbia” is 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 in 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.”