ANEM ALERT: Unacceptable interference in the work, insults, and threats directed at journalist Dejana Cvetković during the reporting from the protests in Surdulica.

During a protest held in Surdulica on February 14, freelance journalist Dejana Cvetković, a contributor to Vreme, Cenzolovka, Južne vesti, Tampon zona, and other media outlets, was continuously harassed by demonstrators who prevented her from filming the event, shouting that "only she is not allowed to record them." They threatened to seize and break her mobile phone, which is her primary tool for work, and warned her that they would sue her if she published any recordings or photographs.

She received insults from the group of demonstrators, such as "garbage," "liar," and profanity. Some shouted "raped" and invited her to exchange phone numbers, implying that they already had her number. There were shocking misogynistic and sexist messages, insults, and provocative questions like "are you wearing thongs," as well as statements like "now it will turn out that we raped her." Personal data, social media accounts, and recordings of Dejana Cvetković were shared without authorization in a Viber group that gathers participants of the protest. Her articles on minorities were also shared, along with claims that they are funded by Albanians.

This award-winning journalist reported on the events and messages expressed during the protests following a traffic accident involving a young Albanian man from Prizren, a relative of the owner of local bakeries, in which local resident Rastko Jović was killed. Protests over the police's and other institutions' inaction turned into demands for the local Albanian family's eviction from the area. Reporting on the protests and communication in the Viber group, she conveyed threats and calls for the persecution of the Albanian bakery owner's family.

"Such behavior represents a situation in which the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office must urgently respond due to the incitement of racial, religious, and national hatred. Local officials who have access to the Viber correspondence must act and oppose the lynching," emphasized Katarina Golubović, president of YUCOM.

"Dejana Cvetković is one of the best journalists, trained to report professionally while adhering to the journalistic code, and is also highly sensitive to reporting on difficult and often taboo issues. It is unacceptable to jeopardize her safety, and she should have been protected by the police securing this gathering. We call on the institutions to prevent the escalation of the campaign and threats against Dejana Cvetković," stated Veran Matić, president of the Association of Independent Electronic Media and coordinator of the Safe Line for reporting threats and attacks on journalists (0800 100 115).

The relevant institutions in Surdulica, Vladičin Han, and Vranje have been informed about the threats and jeopardization of safety.

The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)

Dejana Cvetković has received the following awards and recognitions:

– The "Bring the Noize" recognition from the feminist cultural center BeFem in the category of "Feminist Media Reporting" for the article "Vranje Maternity Hospital: Between Slaps and Self-Invocation";

– First prize from the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality and the OSCE in the print category for the article "How to Get a Place in the Safe House," published in the weekly Vreme;

– Second prize for the same article.

The project "System for the Prevention of Violence and Protection of Journalists" is 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 in Serbia supported ANEM's project "24/7 SOS Hotline for Assistance to Journalists and Other Vulnerable Media Workers," as part of the EU-funded project "Strengthening Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom in Serbia."