ANEM ALARM: Threats to the editor and journalist of the portal snews.rs, Medina Halilović.
Journalist and editor of the portal snews.rs, Medin Halilović from Novi Pazar, reported to the police threats he received yesterday from an acquaintance. The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) has reported this threat to the safety of journalists to the contact point at the prosecutor's office in Novi Pazar and expects the relevant authorities to act promptly in this case and identify and sanction the perpetrator.
Halilović also reported via the Secure Line 0800 100 115 that on January 26, while driving a car marked PRESS, due to pointing out an improper turn, a person from a neighboring vehicle first threw an object at him, then exited the vehicle and began to curse, mentioning members of Halilović's family, along with threats saying, "I'll break you, what are you honking about, I will kill you."
The journalist specified in the police report who the person was, as he knows him from events he has reported on, claiming that he feels threatened given that he knows it is "an individual prone to committing criminal acts and offenses, and who is also known for incidents involving elements of violence."
Halilović is firmly convinced that this attack, due to the manner in which it was carried out, is connected to the journalistic work he has been engaged in for nearly three decades.
We remind you that, according to records from the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office, Medina Halilović's safety has been threatened multiple times: in one case, the prosecution dismissed the criminal complaint; in another case, after the trial, the person who made the threats was acquitted; and in a third case, the criminal complaint was dismissed after the accused fulfilled the imposed obligation.
ANEM calls on journalists and media representatives to regularly report any form of threats to their safety while performing their jobs. A toll-free phone number and direct line to ANEM, 0800 100 115, is available to all journalists, where media representatives can receive explanations about the legal handling of offenses and the procedures that should be initiated to report threats to safety to the relevant institutions, police, and prosecution.
Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)
The project "System for the Prevention of Violence and Protection of Journalists" is being implemented by ANEM in partnership with Insider TV and the Center for the Development of Local Media, with the support of the European Union.
The OSCE Mission to Serbia has supported ANEM's project "24/7 SOS Helpline for Journalists and Other Vulnerable Media Workers" as part of the EU-funded project "Strengthening Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom in Serbia."
