ANEM alert: Threats of murder, laser harassment, vile insults, and curses directed at the journalist and cameraman of N1 in Vrbas

Journalists and cameramen were subjected to harsh insults and threats, not only directed at them personally but also towards their family members, which further disturbed them. One of the leaders of the group of aggressors, who initially wore a mask and then removed it, threatened them with death, accompanying the threat with a recognizable hand gesture under the throat.

Especially disturbing is the fact that during the recording of the event, as well as during live broadcasts, members of the group disrupted the work of the crew by directing laser beams into the eyes of the journalist and cameraman, as well as into the camera itself. Such laser beams are not only a physical disturbance—they can also simulate sniper targeting.

The combination of threats, insults, and laser disruptions, along with an atmosphere of escalating aggression that threatened to turn into a physical attack, forced the N1 team to withdraw from the immediate vicinity of the aggressors.

Journalists, cameramen, and photographers are increasingly becoming primary targets of aggression from such groups, with the obvious intent to intimidate them and prevent them from reporting professionally. The goal of these attacks is to drive journalists away from locations where physical confrontations with peaceful demonstrators are taking place and to discourage them to the point of abandoning coverage of such events.

We remind that police representatives are obligated to intervene against anyone who threatens the safety of journalists and to provide them protection while they perform work of general social significance.

ANEM also calls on citizens to show solidarity with journalists on the ground and to protect them so they can carry out their work unhindered and inform the public about important social events.

Veran Matić, President of the ANEM Management Board and Member of the Standing 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.