NUNS and UNS condemned the new threats against journalists and the media.

Velimir Bulatović, from Vranjska Banja and father of the former MP and dismissed president of the dissolved City Board of the SNS in Vranje, posted a series of insulting and threatening messages on his Facebook profile directed at Veran Matić. Bulatović reacted to a statement made by Matić to the Regional Information Agency JUGpress regarding the insults Bulatović directed at journalist Milojko Pantić. In his post, he suggested that "he has the right to self-defense and will not forgive Matić for the falsehoods he expressed," which can be interpreted as a direct threat to his safety.

The second case concerns journalist and co-author of the show "Dobar, loš, zao," Nenad Kulačina, who received a disturbing audio message via Facebook in which a certain Saša Trajković directed a series of vulgar insults and open threats of physical violence. Although he was not named in the message, it is clear that the threats also pertain to Marko Vidojković, who co-produces the show with Kulačina.

The message states, among other things:

“Hey, you little monkey, what nonsense are you babbling? I'll f*** your dead mouth, you scum, I’ll f*** your dead illegitimate child, and you and that monkey with the tail and beard, I’ll f*** you all legally, you scum... Who are you insulting, the president of the state? I’ll f*** your dead mouth, you dead illegitimate child...”

The editorial office of the portal Mašina also received threats via a message on the social network Instagram. The individual behind the account Dusko Leskovac threatened the journalists with murder alongside insults: “You anti-Serb scum, the day will come when you will be liquidated.”

NUNS demands that the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the relevant prosecutor's office immediately launch investigations and take all necessary measures to prosecute the perpetrators. We remind you that any inadequate response from the relevant authorities further encourages the aggressors and contributes to an atmosphere of impunity.

NUNS again appeals to relevant institutions to act in accordance with their internal guidelines and to respond urgently in such cases, as well as to ensure consistent prosecution of cases involving threats and harassment, which increasingly include explicit calls for violence.

NUNS reminds that verbal threats and hate speech against journalists are criminal offenses and that the state has a constitutional and legal obligation to provide conditions in which journalists can work without fear for their personal safety.

UNS adds that this is not the first time that Veran Matić has received insults and threats and emphasizes that it is concerning that he has been subjected to increasing threats lately due to the protection of other journalists.

UNS highlights that the failure of the relevant authorities to respond to threats against journalists leads to aggressors feeling free to threaten and attack, knowing they will not be held accountable.

UNS calls on the authorities to demonstrate that threats against journalists will not be tolerated.