ANEM ALARM: Freelance journalist and photo reporter Marko Dragoslavić has been physically attacked again in Belgrade.

As Dragoslavić pointed out in a statement to the police, while he was filming a parcel for which work has not yet been officially approved, an unknown person with long gray hair, a beard, and mustache approached him from behind and struck him several times with a fist in the head area. Although he stated, as he says, that he is a journalist, the attacker responded that he "doesn't care" and that he would kill him.

The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) calls on the relevant authorities to immediately investigate this case and provide protection for journalist and photo reporter Dragoslavić, whose safety is at risk as he has been physically attacked multiple times recently and has received threats due to his work, especially regarding reporting on illegal constructions.

"The role of journalists and media is precisely to perform a monitoring function in all social spheres and to point out to government representatives all potential illegal activities and suspicions of corruption. Therefore, the relevant authorities are obligated not only to react based on media reports but also to protect media representatives who expose themselves to safety risks for stories and topics of public interest. At the same time, all perpetrators who hinder media workers in their work or threaten their safety must be adequately sanctioned," stated Veran Matić, President of the ANEM Board of Directors, member of the Permanent Working Group for Journalist Safety, and operator on the Safe Line for Journalists 0800 100 115.

ANEM appeals to all journalists, female journalists, and media representatives to regularly report any kind of threats to their safety while performing their duties. All journalists have access to the free phone number and direct line of ANEM 0800 100 115, where media representatives can obtain explanations regarding the legal treatment of offenses and the procedures that should be initiated in order to report threats to their safety to the relevant institutions, police, and prosecutor's office.

Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)

The project "Enhancing the System of Prevention and Response Mechanisms 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," within the EU-funded project "Strengthening Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom in Serbia."