ANEM alarm: Female journalists increasingly targeted by physical attacks, threats, and disturbing messages
Physical attacks on female journalists, such as the attack on Jelena Stojković, a journalist for Večernje Novosti, who was assaulted by pushing and twisting her arms while carrying out her journalistic duties, resulting in injuries, by Zoran Dimitrijević, the director of the Public Utility Company Komrad from Vranje, are becoming increasingly common. In the previous year, 2024, for the first time, a higher number of attacks and threats against female journalists was recorded compared to those against male journalists.
Attacks on a journalist by a public official should have already resulted in political sanctions or resignation.
ANEM expects an urgent response from the competent prosecutor's office, as this is a public event with numerous witnesses present. In addition to the violent behavior, it also involves the gross obstruction of reporting on the major fire at the landfill, which is of exceptional importance for the public interest of the citizens of Vranje and the surrounding area. The prosecutor's office in Vranje, both the basic and higher, has shown professionalism and efficiency in cases of attacks on journalists in the past period.
Attacks on female journalists have intensified particularly since the beginning of the protests; we have frequently witnessed insults during live broadcasts, threats, and even sexist assaults. There are frequent instances of strikes to the hands and attempts to seize mobile phones or microphones while covering events. Journalists have had their homes invaded. Recently, in a letter threatening a terrorist attack to the N1 newsroom, only the leading female journalists of this media outlet were specifically named.
Female journalists receive significantly more threats and disturbing messages via social media, comments, or direct messages through various messaging services. According to the records of the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office, as much as 70 percent of all threats are directed at female journalists. Furthermore, these threats are much more brutal, often characterized as sexual harassment and intimidation, and almost always contain misogynistic content.
The consequences are very severe for the mental health of female journalists.
In light of all the above, it is crucial for editorial offices to pay special attention to the protection of female journalists, both in the newsroom and in the field. Police, prosecutors, and courts should pay attention to all the specificities of endangering the safety of female journalists and effectively sanction them, and through a policy of punishing perpetrators, create conditions for prevention.
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