Appeal for Help for Panpress from Pančevo, Facing Shutdown Due to SLAPP Lawsuit - Urgent Response Needed from Citizens
A ruling has been issued against the independent media company PANpress from Pančevo and editor Ivana Predić in the lawsuit filed by Aleksandar Čupić, a media worker from Vršac, for defamation and emotional distress, with an enormous compensation claim of as much as 209,900 dinars!
This independent editorial office from Pančevo has been given a deadline of 15 days to pay for damages and court costs.
We call on all supportive citizens to respond to this action in as large numbers as possible and to COLLECT FUNDS BY TUESDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2025 TO HELP BOTH PANPRESS and its editor IVANA PREDIĆ COVER THE COURT COSTS.
Specifically, Aleksandar Čupić initiated a lawsuit in September 2021 against the mentioned media for defamation and emotional distress due to reports from one of the hearings in the trial against Čupić. The hearing was reported on by editor Ivana Predić for the website Cenzolovka, and the article was originally published on that site. The report was also picked up by local media, including PANPress, which were also sued alongside Cenzolovka.
The argument that the public has the right to know and be informed about Čupić's frequent absence from hearings (seven in two proceedings) was not accepted by the judge of the Higher Court, which is why a ruling was made that Pero's center and Ivana Predić must jointly pay 70,000 dinars for non-material damages and inflicted emotional pain. After the appeals process, the Appellate Court initially upheld the ruling but then amended it to 139,900 dinars, which is why the total amount for damages and court costs now amounts to 209,900 dinars.
Why is it important for all of us to get involved and help?
Because this is yet another example of how the public interest and the voice of local independent media are stifled through exhaustion in legal proceedings and enormous compensation claims.
Because we must not allow another blow to independent media, whose main interest is to ensure that each of us receives information of public importance, to result in a journalist ending up in prison.
Because journalists must have guaranteed freedom of reporting.
We can all help together with donations in the following ways:
PAYMENTS IN DINARS:
Account No. 170-0030039599021-59
ASSOCIATION KROKODIL, KARAĐORĐEVA 43, 11000 BELGRADE
PAYMENTS IN EUR:
IBAN: RS35170003003959900122
SWIFT: BACXRSBG
ASSOCIATION KROKODIL, KARAĐORĐEVA 43/2, 11000 BELGRADE, UNICREDIT BANK SERBIA JSC
PAYMENTS IN USD:
IBAN: RS35170003003959900995
SWIFT: BACXRSBG
ASSOCIATION KROKODIL, KARAĐORĐEVA 43/2, 11000 BELGRADE, UNICREDIT BANK SERBIA JSC
