ANEM alarm: Urgent response required from the authorities due to an attack on a journalist while reporting from the protest
During the protest in front of the headquarters of the Serbian Progressive Party in New Belgrade, journalist Darko Simić from the Political Globe of Serbia reported live from the scene. At one point, from a group of gathered members and supporters of the SNS, one of the attendees assaulted Simić and physically attacked him. The entire incident was recorded on camera – both by Simić's camera and by the cameras of other journalists present.
After the attack, Simić addressed the present police inspector, who also recorded the incident but refused to intervene or call the relevant operatives to identify and detain the attacker. Instead, he directed Simić to go to the police station himself and file a report.
The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) once again appeals to police officers to react promptly and decisively in cases of obvious and documented violence against journalists, in order to identify the attackers and prevent further assaults.
The incident was immediately reported to the contact point at the Third Basic Public Prosecutor's Office, along with video footage clearly showing the attack. We expect an urgent response from the prosecutor's office and the police, a swift and effective investigation, and appropriate sanctions against the perpetrator.
We particularly emphasize that journalists covering protests, especially those with the potential for escalation and conflict, are extremely important for the public — through their live broadcasts and other forms of documenting events, they prevent manipulations, misrepresentations, and interpretations that can have serious consequences. We remind you of the case where students were wrongly accused of attacking a police officer in front of RTS, which was uncovered thanks to the footage of a conscientious photojournalist.
Journalists, cameramen, and photographers contribute immeasurably to the protection of the public interest and the informing of citizens in Serbia through their professionalism and dedication — at a time when the number of professional media is declining, and the space for their operation is increasingly shrinking.
The attack on Darko Simić while he was live-streaming the event symbolically illustrates the relationship of the ruling party and authorities towards the public interest and objective information. Therefore, it is crucial that the relevant authorities, primarily the police, protect journalists and other media workers in such situations, and that the institutions of the system effectively sanction those who undermine the constitutional right of citizens to be informed about events of public significance.
Veran Matić, President of the ANEM Management Board and member of the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists
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 and the Balkan Democracy Fund.
