ANEM alert: Unacceptable interference with the operations of the A1 portal team by the police in Novi Pazar.

The editorial office of the A1 portal from Novi Pazar announced last night that two female journalists and a cameraman, who were located in front of the building where a group of young people, previously involved in incidents during the protests, were staying, were subjected to prolonged detention, detailed searches of their bags and equipment, which prevented them from performing their work for which they were on site.

The journalists clearly displayed press credentials and press vests, while the cameraman carried all necessary professional equipment. Despite this, police officers detained them, justifying it by stating that "everything must be thoroughly checked," not allowing the team to continue their work until this was completed. One journalist was even taken in during this process because she did not have her ID card with her, although she had her press credentials and was clearly marked as a journalist. After a short detention, she was released.

The A1 editorial office emphasizes that the identification of journalists is not disputed when conducted in accordance with the law, but that in this case, the police's actions were disproportionate, unfounded, and resulted in the obstruction of journalists' work on assignment.

“We believe this is a form of pressure on the media and an attempt to intimidate the public, as our team was the only one following the events throughout the day and remained to capture what was really happening,” the editorial office stated.

ANEM reminds us that representatives of the police and gendarmerie obstructed and attacked journalists in several cities during their coverage of the protests on Saturday, October 11, including teams from the Mašina portal, Storyteller, Autonomija info, Beta agency, and Glas Zaječara...

This is not the first time that the police, in addition to failing to react in cases of attacks on journalists at public gatherings, have physically attacked and prevented media representatives from doing their jobs in the field. The Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS) recorded 14 such cases in August alone and another eight in September.

We assess the behavior of the police towards journalists as extremely unprofessional, unacceptable, and contrary to their authority, which is why we will report all cases to the internal control service for abuse of power.

We also appeal to all journalists and media representatives to regularly report any form of security threats while performing their duties. All journalists have access to a free phone number and direct line of ANEM 0800 100 115, where media representatives can obtain explanations about the legal treatment of offenses and the procedures to be initiated to report security threats to the relevant institutions, police, and prosecution.

Veran Matić, President of the Board of the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) and member of the Permanent Working Group on the Safety of Journalists

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 Democracy Fund.

The OSCE Mission in Serbia supported ANEM's project "24/7 SOS Hotline for Assistance to Journalists and Other Vulnerable Media Workers," within the EU-funded project "Strengthening Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom in Serbia."