ANEM ALARM: Journalists and editors of the "Pravo u centar" portal received a series of threatening and insulting messages.

During her reporting from the event, one individual recorded the journalist with a phone, falsely presenting themselves as an employee of a local television station, while a man standing next to her directed inappropriate comments mentioning Croatia, HRT, and similar topics. After posting the recording on the media's Instagram page, a series of disturbing, offensive, and misogynistic comments followed.

One of the comments poses a threat to the safety of journalist Popović. From the Instagram account goran39528, a threatening message was posted three days ago: “RIGHT IN THE CENTER BU*E YOU SHOULD BE F*CKED TO SH*T PICULIĆKA DRO*ETINO????????????????????.”

These threats were reported to the Prosecutor's Office for High-Tech Crime by Veran Matić, the president of the Board of Directors of the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM), a member of the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists, and an operator on the Safe Line for Journalists 0800 100 115.

“The portal Right in the Center is the only professional media outlet in Lazarevac. Because of this, it is under strong, constant pressure – and journalist Maria Popović is exposed to ongoing threats, as well as very disturbing and misogynistic messages, which are often more frightening than death threats. Therefore, it is extremely important to identify and prosecute the perpetrator to prevent the escalation of aggression towards this journalist and the editorial team of the portal Right in the Center,” stated Veran Matić.

ANEM appeals to all journalists and media representatives to regularly report any kind of threats to their safety while performing their duties. All journalists have access to the free phone number and direct line of ANEM at 0800 100 115, where media representatives can receive explanations regarding the legal treatment of offenses and the procedures that need to be initiated to report threats to their safety to the relevant institutions, police, and prosecutors.

Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)

The project “Improvement of the Prevention and Response Mechanism System in Cases of Threats to the Safety and Lives of Journalists in Serbia” is being implemented by ANEM with partners Insider TV and the Center for the Development of Local Media, with support from the European Union.

The OSCE Mission in Serbia has supported ANEM's project “24/7 SOS Helpline for Assistance to Journalists and Other Vulnerable Media Workers” as part of the project financed by the European Union “Strengthening Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom in Serbia.”