The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reacted to the attacks on Veran Matić.
“There's no place for intimidation in democracy,” emphasized the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in a message of solidarity, responding to the attacks and threats to the safety of Veran Matić, the president of the Association of Independent Media (ANEM), which came from the office of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
On July 20, Vučić stated during a television program that those who have been convicted due to Matić should have their records expunged, and that Matić should apologize to them.
The media community in Serbia interpreted these words as an unequivocal incitement and call for violence against Matić, directed towards those who have been declared guilty by court decisions in Serbia for crimes and violence against journalists they committed. Furthermore, the “outstretched arms for revenge” were directed at those whose prosecution Matić, as the president of the Commission for Investigating Journalists, advocated for and continues to advocate for today.
“The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expresses solidarity with media freedom advocate in Serbia, Veran Matić, the recipient of the IPFA award in 1993, who requested a security assessment from the police following recent statements by President Vučić. Intimidation has no place in democracy, and the authorities must ensure his safety,” emphasized the CPJ.
The IPFA – International Press Freedom Award is presented by the CPJ to journalists or media outlets around the world for their courage in defending press freedom despite attacks, threats, and imprisonment. The award was established in 1991, and Veran Matić is one of the first laureates.
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