Without physical attacks on journalists, but increasingly online threats and pressures.

The editor of the “Free Media” portal and a member of the Executive Board of the Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (NUNS), Amela Bajrović, states that online insults have “become a part of everyday life to such an extent that journalists often do not even notice them.”

“However, as a serious form of pressure, I see the publication by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, which mentions the Free Media portal among others. This document claims that we are engaged in ‘brainwashing Serbian youth,’ and I consider these statements an attempt to intimidate, stigmatize, and discredit independent journalism in Serbia. Accusations of this kind are potentially dangerous, as they further exacerbate our security and place us in a vulnerable position,” she emphasizes.

Drastic examples of online threats are provided by the editor of the “A1.net” portal, Enes Radetinac, who mentions that in 2025, he received three death threats, one of which was directed at his wife, a journalist at that media outlet.

“The first case occurred on March 3, after a series of shows about the reconciliation of Serbs and Bosniaks that we conducted through humorous sketches. At that time, a drawing featuring my likeness appeared on TikTok, accompanied by a message that I am ‘someone who spreads evil’ and that I ‘should be eliminated.’ The second case happened on August 7, after a live broadcast with a representative of the Islamic Community. In the comments below a clip from that show on social media, a threat appeared – ‘First, we need to eliminate this media outlet, then we’ll deal with the people easily.’” said Radetinac.

As a third case, he cites that an unknown person sent him messages for days stating that he should be killed and that they know where he lives, and this continued until he blocked them.

Other journalists we spoke with also report being targets of offensive messages and comments, as well as threats of lawsuits.

Katarina Radović, a journalist at Regional Television Novi Pazar, states that in the past two years, she received one offensive message after reporting on an incident in which a vehicle belonging to the Justice and Reconciliation Party hit a boy.

“In my Instagram inbox, after a few days, I found a message from an unknown profile, without a name or photo, which quite illiterately directed a series of insults at the media I work for and at my reporting. That message remained in my inbox for two days, and when I returned to read it again, possibly to save and report it, it was no longer there, so I assume it was deleted by the person who sent it,” she said.

The editor of the “020 Media” portal, Emir Tutić, adds that people often address him rudely or curse at him while he is in the field, and that he receives threats of lawsuits, which causes additional stress.

Nusreta Brunčević, a journalist at the “Takt Info” portal, highlights frequent insults regarding the headscarf she wears but states that she does not report such incidents to the authorities.

“However, the last unpleasant incident occurred during a student protest I was covering, when a police officer, after I asked him to identify himself as he did not have visible identification, directed insults at me and said ‘we'll see each other,’ which he said in a clearly threatening tone. When I asked where we would see each other, as I personally do not know him, he continued to mockingly nod his head,” she said.

The vast majority of threats that journalists from these cities received in the past two years have not been reported – neither to the police, nor to the prosecutor's office, nor to journalists' associations.

As reasons, they mostly cite that they do not consider these to be direct threats or do not believe that reporting would yield results.

The director of “TV Sandžak,” Salahudin Fetić, emphasizes that they have regularly reported all attacks from previous years but not the insults and comments.

“Regarding the threat from municipal councilor Ramiz Župić, where he admits to having taken my phone and that he will do it again, prosecutor Samir Bakić deemed there were no grounds for responsibility, even though Župić was under conditional punishment at that time for the initial attack and phone theft. Additionally, the armed attack on me in Prvomajska Street has never been resolved because the event ‘was not recorded by any surveillance camera,’” Fetić stated.

Radetinac adds that he reports threats to NUNS, which then takes action and forwards them to the relevant authorities, but that they have only been contacted by the prosecutor's office in Belgrade in one case.

Nusreta Brunčević notes that she does not approach the relevant authorities because she believes that “in such an environment, I would not have adequate protection.”

“If a police officer can behave this way towards a journalist while she is carrying out her job, it is hard to trust the institutions from which that protection should come. Unfortunately, the feeling of insecurity is further exacerbated by the fact that those who should guarantee the safety of all citizens, including journalists, often fail in that role,” she concludes.

Journalists and media workers from these cities report that they are familiar with the procedure for reporting attacks against them, and most claim they also know who the contact points are in the police and prosecutor's office.

Experiences from previous years, they add, show varying responses from these bodies, ranging from very efficient police action within a few hours (Bajrović) to the prosecutor's office not acting for “six to seven months” (Radetinac).

Because of this, they emphasize that they often decide to report threats and pressures to journalists' associations, although they believe that their reactions are sometimes inadequate.

“I reached out to NUNS and immediately received full support. They were very accessible, monitored the situation to the end, and made it clear that I could count on their help at any time if I decided to take further steps. Such support is extremely important, especially in moments when you feel unprotected,” said Nusreta Brunčević.

The director of “TV Sandžak” believes that responses are often at an unsatisfactory level.

“When my mobile phone was stolen from me in the assembly hall in Novi Pazar, NUNS investigated whether I was there as a journalist or a party activist. And the phone that was stolen was the one I was using to record the event. I was properly accredited as a journalist at the assembly. They often play the role of prosecutors instead of protecting journalists,” he adds.

Those who did not reach out to journalists' associations in the past period, such as Emir Tutić, the editor of “020 Media,” believe that they are powerless and that problems cannot be solved with statements.

Tutić cites “expressed uncollegiality” as a problem.

“There is a group that considers itself media, while ignoring others. I believe that if we were attacked tomorrow, local media would largely ignore it. When we talk about protection and mutual respect, I would say that it all comes down to agendas and projects, and that others absolutely do not care about their colleagues and their vulnerability. Those who call themselves independent media completely ignore young and new media. This is a form of pressure from the competition. I feel lonely and do not expect any support from my colleagues,” Tutić stated.

Other journalists believe that there is a certain type of solidarity, that in cases of attacks and pressures on a media outlet, they report about it, provide support, and issue public statements.

In addition to almost daily threats and insults, media outlets from Novi Pazar, Tutin, and Raška are also facing economic pressures that jeopardize their survival, leaving journalists feeling insecure, vulnerable, and discriminated against.

The editor-in-chief of “TV Pešter” from Tutin, Amel Fakić, claims that they are suffering economic pressures due to political unsuitability.

“This has not always been the case, but in the last two years, such an attitude has become more pronounced. Due to editorial policies that are not in line with local political structures, our media is often overlooked when it comes to the distribution of budget funds or is inadequately financially supported, even though it is a television media that incurs higher production costs,” Fakić emphasizes.

He adds that they also face discrimination in the form of not being invited to official events.

Marijana Vasiljević Cvetić, a journalist from the “Razglas” portal in Raška, states that this media outlet has only existed for a few months, but has already encountered indirect pressures from the authorities.

“In addition to orchestrated comments from bots labeling us as ‘foreign mercenaries,’ we have also received public comments from holders of high municipal functions criticizing our reporting, telling us what we should publish and what we should not, which is certainly a form of pressure and discipline for such a young media outlet in such a small environment,” Vasiljević Cvetić emphasizes.

Journalists from Radio Television Novi Pazar, TV Sandžak, TV Pešter, Radio Sto Plus, A1.net, Free Media, Takt Info, and Razglas participated in the analysis of the security situation. Calls were also sent to other newsrooms, but they did not respond.

Source: Radio Sto Plus