European Federation of Journalists: Hold those responsible for threats against journalist Dinko Gruhonjić accountable.

“Journalist Dinko Gruhonjić has received new death threats, indicating a pattern of attacks on independent journalists, which are fueled by smear campaigns from public officials and pro-government tabloids. We call for the prosecution of those responsible for the threats against Gruhonjić, which have persisted since March 2024,” stated the EFJ in a press release.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) from New York announced yesterday that it is disturbed by the new wave of death threats and hate messages directed at journalist, university professor, and freedom fighter Dinko Gruhonjić.

“Serbia must urgently respond – to prosecute the perpetrators and ensure his safety and that of his family,” stated the CPJ in a public statement.

Recently, Professor Dinko Gruhonjić from the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad received a threat in the form of a letter that arrived at the address of the Faculty of Philosophy where he is employed, and which was signed “Greetings from Ratko Mladić.”

“And now shut those Ustaše mouths before it's too late!” the letter states, among other things.

Gruhonjić recently reported receiving threats via SMS that read “Death to the Gruhonjić family!”

The Mapping Media Freedom mechanism, led by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a European mechanism that monitors, oversees, and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU member states and candidate countries, also condemned the threats directed at Gruhonjić and his family.

They reminded that Gruhonjić is a constant target of attacks from pro-government tabloids and smear campaigns incited by public officials, aimed at portraying him as a political opponent, which has resulted in serious threats, including death threats.

Threatening graffiti at the entrance of the building where Gruhonjić lives with his family in Novi Sad prompted the MFRR consortium to provide him with protective measures last year.

“Amid the ongoing anti-corruption protests due to the deadly collapse of the roof of the train station in Novi Sad, the journalist is constantly under fire and even accused of leading a ‘color revolution’ for supporting his journalism students and his commitment to independent writing,” the statement reads.

The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) also called for an investigation into the new death threat directed at Gruhonjić and his family.

Gruhonjić has reported both cases of death threats to the relevant authorities in Serbia.

Source: N1