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

The President of the ANEM Board of Directors and member of the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists, Veran Matić, reported a physical attack on the editor of the Zrenjanin portal, stating that Blanuša was clearly identified 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 at 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 subsequently gave a statement to the police, in which he indicated that he was attacked by a man he knows, who has previously assaulted him, leading this journalist to feel endangered not only for himself but also for his family.

It is worth noting that Blanuša was already the target of an attack on May 9 of this year at the Great Market in Zrenjanin during an incident where a conflict arose with supporters of the SNS. Additionally, on August 10, he received disturbing messages and threats in a comment on the portal Volim Zrenjanin. The threat stating "there is no remedy for you except a bullet" was immediately reported to the police upon the advice of the on-duty 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 inflicted injuries.

Journalist of the Bečejski Mozaik portal Kristina Demeter Filipčev received a series of disturbing messages and threats in online comments below the report from the SNS gathering in that city. Journalist Demeter Filipčev was directly threatened with 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 include threats of violence against the journalist. 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 upon the relevant authorities to urgently respond, establish accountability for those who issued the threats, and ensure the protection of Kristina Demeter Filipčev, her family, and the Bečejski Mozaik editorial team.

ANEM warns that just this past weekend there were several attacks on journalists who attempted to report objectively and in accordance with the rules of the profession from gatherings of the ruling SNS.

“In just a few days this weekend, the President of the Assembly of Serbia targeted Miloš Milić, a journalist from Fonet. After such words, physical attacks on journalists typically follow. Violence, insults, threats, intimidation, and obstructing journalists from doing their job in the public interest speak to the regime's, officials', and SNS supporters' intent 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 frequently the target of disturbing calls, threats, and insults. This atmosphere leading up to the parliamentary elections on October 25 undermines the basic tenets of a democratic society where citizens have the right to be informed. This atmosphere endangers not only journalists' right to do their jobs but also creates an image of Serbia as a country whose government and its 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 "Improving the System of Mechanisms for Prevention and Response in Cases of Threats to the Safety and Life of Female and Male 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.