ANEM ALARM: Attack on the editor of Volim Zrenjanin and threats of sexual violence against a journalist from Bečejský Mozaik.

The President of the Board of ANEM and member of the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists, Veran Matić, reported a physical attack on the editor of a Zrenjanin portal, stating that Blanuša was clearly marked as a journalist with a valid press accreditation. The journalist and editor of the portal "Volim Zrenjanin" was attempting to report from the promotion of the EXPO exhibition when a man approached him in Dr. Zoran Đinđić Square, got in his face, and ultimately pushed him over a refrigerator next to a nearby kiosk.

Blanuša sought medical assistance and then provided a statement to the police in which he noted that he was attacked by a man he knows, who had previously assaulted him, which makes this journalist feel threatened not only for himself but also for his family.

As a reminder, Blanuša had already been the target of an attack on May 9 of this year at the Great Market in Zrenjanin during an incident when there was a confrontation with supporters of the SNS party. Additionally, on August 10, he received disturbing messages and threats in a comment on the "Volim Zrenjanin" portal. The threat which stated "there is no remedy for you except a bullet" was immediately reported to the police as advised by the on-call prosecutor. In yesterday's attack during the reporting from the EXPO promotion, the prosecutor will, according to Blanuša's statements, initiate criminal proceedings against the person who attacked him and caused him injuries.

Journalist Kristina Demeter Filipčev from the "Bečejski Mozaik" portal received a series of disturbing messages and threats in online comments under the report from an SNS gathering in that city. Journalist Demeter Filipčev received a direct threat of sexual violence, while every message left on the "Bečejski Mozaik" portal insulted her not only on a gender basis but also on a national basis. The threats are rife with hate speech against Hungarians and Croats, are explicitly misogynistic and sexist, and the journalist is threatened with violence. ANEM warns that such messages aim to intimidate and target the journalist and represent a serious threat to her safety due to her professional work.

We call on the relevant authorities to respond urgently, determine the responsibility of those who issued the threats, and ensure the protection of Kristina Demeter Filipčev, her family, and the editorial staff of "Bečejski Mozaik."

ANEM warns that just this past weekend there were several attacks on journalists who attempted to report objectively and in accordance with professional standards from events organized by the ruling SNS party.

"In just a few days this weekend, the President of the Assembly of Serbia targeted Miloš Milić, a journalist from Fonet. Following such words, physical attacks on journalists typically ensue. Violence, insults, threats, intimidation, and preventing journalists from doing their job in the interest of the public reflect the regime's intent, as well as that of officials and supporters of the SNS, to conduct a campaign filled with violence, fear, and increased tensions in society. Journalists who try to work professionally and inform citizens about the events of all political actors in the electoral race are not safe and are often frequent targets of disturbing calls, threats, and insults. This atmosphere ahead of the parliamentary elections on October 25 undermines the basic tenets of a democratic society, whose citizens have the right to be informed. Such an atmosphere jeopardizes not only the right of journalists to do their job but also creates an image of Serbia as a country whose authorities and supporters do not respect constitutionally guaranteed rights such as freedom of movement and expression," warns Veran Matić, President of ANEM and member of the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists.

**Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)**

*The project "System for the Prevention of Violence and Protection of Journalists" 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 and the Balkan Fund for Democracy.*