ANEM ALARM: Dangerous pathology is spreading unchecked across networks – a hammer on journalists.

In addition to numerous disturbing messages, Nenad Kulačin and Marko Vidojković received multiple death threats on their Instagram accounts.

One notable message from the account 'aleksandar_dragojevic1' states, “Wow, this is killed with a mallet. It's a shame to waste a bullet. Indeed, a mallet weighing 7-8 kg.”

This message is followed by another from the account 'sekidragan', which says, “Oh no, that mallet would kill him immediately; a wooden hammer is lighter, but you'd have to hit him 100 times for him to die.”

In other messages, there are threats of death, sexual violence, torture, and abuse. The threats have been reported to the Prosecutor's Office for High-Tech Crime.

“Marko Vidojković had to leave the country three years ago due to these threats. Nenad Kulačin and his family are exposed to threats and potential violence on a daily basis. Of the six reports of threats made last year, only in one case involving Nenad Kulačin's safety was an indictment proposal raised, and a court process is underway. The terrifying slanders coming from leading politicians of the ruling party are daily transforming into brutal threats and disturbing messages, as well as attacks on journalists. The Minister of Information and Telecommunications, instead of protecting journalists and the law, further demonizes part of the professional media, jeopardizing their safety. Pro-government media are filled with programs, segments, and films targeting journalists and media. ANEM calls on the prosecutor's office and police to effectively investigate the attackers and prevent the escalation of threats into violence that endangers journalists' lives,” stated Veran Matić, coordinator of the Safe Line for Reporting Threats and Attacks on Journalists (0800 100 115) at ANEM and a member of the Permanent Working Group for Journalist Safety.

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, supported by the European Union.

The OSCE Mission in Serbia has 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.”