EFJ adopted a resolution on the state of media freedoms in Serbia.

The document highlights that during 2024, there were 166 recorded cases of attacks and pressures on journalists, while in the first five months of 2025, 128 cases have already been registered. It particularly emphasizes numerous physical attacks, cases of digital surveillance, and police inaction, which often removes journalists from the field instead of the attackers.

The EFJ pointed to chronic impunity – of the 62 cases from 2024, by March 2025, only one ended in a conviction, while one was resolved through deferred prosecution. Out of a total of 598 cases of attacks and threats recorded since 2016, only 16% resulted in a conviction, while in 19% of the cases the perpetrator was never identified.

The resolution also warns of increasingly pronounced political pressures in the media, particularly those forms dependent on public funds, including censorship, editorial interference, and the dismissal of journalists. It notes a further decline of Serbia in international media freedom indices – RSF ranked Serbia 96th, Freedom House classifies it as a "partly free" country, and the SafeJournalists index records the lowest score specifically in the area of real journalist safety.

Accordingly, the General Assembly of the EFJ:

• condemns ongoing attacks and impunity;
• calls on Serbian institutions to respond urgently and publicly report on cases;
• urges international organizations to increase pressure on Serbia;
• expresses solidarity with independent journalists and media;
• demands that these issues remain on the agenda of European institutions;
• calls on the media, particularly public services, to guarantee editorial independence and protect journalists.

NUNS will, in cooperation with domestic and international partners, continue to insist on the responsibility of institutions and the protection of journalists as a prerequisite for preserving media freedom and democratic values in Serbia.

The full text of the resolution can be seen below.

SERBIA

On the Escalation of Threats and Persistent Impunity for Attacks on Journalists in Serbia

Submitters: Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (NUNS) and the Branch Union of Culture, Arts and Media "Independence"

The General Assembly of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), which met in Budapest on June 2-3, 2025,

expresses serious concern about the ongoing rise in attacks, threats, and pressures on journalists in Serbia, with 166 recorded cases in 2024 and another 128 in the first five months of 2025;

emphasizes 18 physical attacks and dozens of verbal threats and intimidation cases, as well as illegal digital surveillance of journalists, while the police remain passive observers or remove reporters from the scene instead of the attackers;

with concern notes that since 2016, the Republic Public Prosecutor's Office of Serbia has recorded 598 cases of threats and attacks on journalists. In 60% of them, there was reasonable suspicion that a criminal offense was committed, but only 97 cases (16%) resulted in a conviction. In 19% of cases, the perpetrator was never identified;

adds that only in 2024, 62 new cases were opened, but by the end of March 2025, only one conviction was issued, while one case was resolved through deferred prosecution, i.e., the opportunity;

warns of increasing institutional pressures and editorial interference in media financially dependent on public funds or closely linked to ruling structures, where editorial independence is systematically undermined through management pressures, censorship, and politically motivated dismissals – creating an atmosphere of fear, self-censorship, and retaliation against journalists who are professionally engaged in their work;

also notes a further decline of Serbia in media freedom indices: RSF ranked it 96th in 2025, Freedom House classifies it as a "partly free" country with a score of 56 out of 100, while according to the SafeJournalists Security Index, Serbia was rated 2.83/7, with "real safety" being the worst-rated category;

reminds of the 2024 European Commission report, which highlights the lack of progress in the area of media freedom, the application of laws, and the safety of journalists;

the General Assembly of the EFJ therefore:

• strongly condemns ongoing attacks on journalists and the accompanying impunity;

• calls on Serbian authorities, particularly the Republic Public Prosecutor's Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to urgently and transparently act on all cases of attacks on journalists and regularly publish data on their resolution;

• calls on the European Union, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, and other international actors to increase pressure on Serbia to fulfill its obligations under international media freedom standards;

• expresses full solidarity with professional and independent journalists and media organizations in Serbia and supports the efforts of EFJ members to monitor, report, and seek justice in all cases of violations of journalists' rights;

• demands that the EFJ Board ensures that these topics remain on the agenda of European institutions and are regularly raised in dialogue with the EU and other relevant actors;

• calls on Serbian media, including public services, especially those receiving public funding and/or operating under foreign licenses, to respect editorial independence, protect journalists from political interference, and ensure that staffing decisions are not used as a means of repression or suppression of media freedom.

Source: NUNS