ANEM ALARM: A member of the police Intervention Unit attacked journalist Mašina Marko Miletić.

For more than a year, members of the police intervention units have regularly obstructed journalists at gatherings of the Serbian Progressive Party, physically attacking them, seizing and damaging their equipment, and causing them injuries. The majority of attacks occurred after the events, following clashes with demonstrators, which clearly indicates an intent to target and harm journalists who are professionally reporting and documenting the violence of SNS security personnel, as well as the police against citizens.

Marko Miletić, a journalist for the Mašina portal, was prevented from reporting from the actual SNS rally featuring Aleksandar Vučić. During the protests, amid attacks by aggressors on citizens and the dispersal of gathered citizens by the police, Miletić regularly reported for television N1, which did not have its own correspondent at the event.

At the end of the gathering, during the dispersal of citizens, while performing his duties, clearly marked as a journalist by a press vest and journalist accreditation, Miletić loudly introduced himself as a journalist. At that moment, he was violently attacked by a member of the police intervention unit, who firmly grabbed his arm, seized the mobile phone he was using to record and livestream the event, and then roughly pushed him away.

The police officer did not have a displayed name on the part of the uniform where the name and surname are located, only the inscription "police." When he learned which editorial office Miletić worked for, he insinuated: "For you, we are definitely murderers..." although Mašina has never qualified police officers in that manner.

After returning his mobile phone, the police officer continued to push Marko Miletić away, forbidding him from recording and reporting, directing him toward the aggressors who supported the SNS.

This event represents yet another example of the pattern of relations towards independent and professional journalists: they are prevented from following SNS events in public places, obstructed while reporting, their equipment is confiscated, and ultimately they are physically attacked either by aggressors supporting the SNS, police officers, or both.

Once again, instead of protecting the safety of journalists, the police attacked a journalist and, based on the circumstances of the case, could have fulfilled the elements of criminal offenses endangering safety under Article 138 and violent behavior under Article 344 of the Criminal Code. Therefore, we expect the relevant prosecutor's office in Užice to investigate all circumstances of the event, identify the police officer, and, if elements of a criminal offense are established, initiate appropriate proceedings.

We believe that such actions have also obstructed and hindered electronic transmission and broadcasting of programs, which is why we expect the relevant authorities to investigate the existence of elements of a criminal offense under Article 149 of the Criminal Code.

During the dispersal of citizens by the police, a cameraman from Radio-Television of Serbia was struck by a stone while filming the event. Cameramen and operators using various recording devices are among the most frequent targets of violent attacks.

It is unacceptable to endanger the safety and lives of journalists, regardless of which editorial office they report for. We also call on editorial offices to train journalists and cameramen for safe reporting, so they do not further expose themselves to safety risks during police interventions or any other form of conflict.

ANEM condemns the targeting of journalists Marija Vranić from Rec Media in Užice, who is also a correspondent for Nova S, and Snježana Ostojić.

From an account on X under the name Ivan Antić, who presents himself as a member of parliament from Novi Sad and a veteran, multiple identical posts have made false claims that endanger the safety of these journalists:

“The journalists (correspondents) of Nova S and N1 (MARIJA VRANIĆ AND SNJEŽANA OSTOJIĆ) led and orchestrated the violent actions of the brought protesters against Užice citizens who came out to the reported gathering in support of their president @AV.”

Journalists from so-called small, local, yet professional and independent media, such as the Mašina portal from Belgrade and Rec Media from Užice, have upheld the dignity of the journalistic profession. In addition to reporting through their portals and social media accounts, they were also the only correspondents for other media, such as television N1 and Nova S.

The authorities have once again shown that they will intensify repression against journalists and media in Serbia, who operate under extremely difficult conditions, especially when the situation in Serbia is compared to conditions in other European countries, according to assessments from international organizations.

“We know that, despite our reports, there will not be an adequate response from the institutions of the system and the rule of law. Therefore, we appeal to representatives of the international community, primarily the institutions of the European Commission, to protect independent and professional media and journalists in Serbia,” stated Veran Matić, president of the ANEM Board, operator of the Safe Line for Journalists 0800 100 115, and member of the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists.

Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)

The project "Improvement of the System Mechanism for Prevention and Response in Cases of Threats to the Safety and Life of Female and Male Journalists in Serbia" is being implemented by ANEM in partnership with Insajder TV and the Center for the Development of Local Media, with the support of the European Union.

The OSCE Mission in Serbia has supported ANEM's project "24/7 SOS Hotline for Assistance to Journalists and Other Threatened Media Workers," as part of the EU-funded project "Strengthening Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom in Serbia."