Maja Sever: The pressure on journalists in Serbia is unparalleled; they are attacked from all sides, and wherever you turn, things are not functioning.

“In Serbia, no matter where you turn, the situation regarding media freedom and journalist safety is not functioning: from open attacks, physical assaults, campaigns of hate speech, to impunity. The situation here in Croatia is bad. But unfortunately, it cannot be compared to the situation in Serbia. Yesterday morning, I came across Aleksandar Vučić's appearance on RTS on social media. The way he speaks and addresses female and male journalists is incredible,” says Maja Sever, President of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ).

At the recently held EFJ Assembly in Budapest, delegates from Europe adopted a resolution due to the increasing frequency of attacks, threats, and pressures on journalists in Serbia, which was proposed by the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS) and the Independent Trade Union.

Sever tells Cenzolovka that the statistics on attacks against journalists in Serbia are alarming, but they do not fully capture the pressure faced on a daily basis.

While we are talking, news arrives that journalist Marija Šehić has been dismissed from Euronews. As reported by media organizations and associations, the dismissal represents retaliation for opposing the violation of professional standards, pressures, and harassment of journalists from this media outlet.

Maja Sever: We were informed about the problems at Euronews during our earlier visit to Serbia. Such a change in editorial policy and the pressure that culminated in the dismissal of a valuable, brave, professional colleague is truly frightening. All support to Marija. We will certainly inform all relevant European institutions about what is happening.

Cenzolovka: How do media freedoms in Serbia look from the perspective of a country that is an EU member? Could you compare them to what is happening in Croatia or Hungary?

Sever: Actually, I wouldn’t. It’s hard for me to say that. In Croatia, I loudly demand the strengthening of protection for free and professional journalism, and I openly criticize Croatian institutions and political authorities for not doing enough to protect journalism, as shown by reports from the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) mission.

The situation here is bad. But unfortunately, it cannot be compared to the situation in Serbia. I was in Serbia with the MFRR mission and am in contact with colleagues in your country. The two countries cannot be compared precisely because of what journalists in Serbia are going through, which includes attacks from all sides. Yesterday morning, I came across Aleksandar Vučić's appearance on RTS on social media. The way he speaks and addresses the journalist is incredible.

There are also tensions in Serbia; the country has been under a state of emergency for several months, and journalists are exposed to all these attacks and pressures. Moreover, they are part of society and need to report on everything.

We are also monitoring the election of members to the REM Council. No matter where you turn, things are not functioning: from open attacks, physical assaults, campaigns of hate speech, to impunity. Thus, it is incomparable. The same goes for Hungary.

THERE IS NO JUSTICE FOR THE FAMILIES OF MURDERED JOURNALISTS

Cenzolovka: Yesterday marked 24 years since the murder of journalist Milan Pantić. There are no indictments. The murder of journalist Dada Vujasinović has expired. The verdict in the trial for the murder of journalist Slavko Ćuruvija was an acquittal by the Appellate Court.

Sever: This is a terrible message for anyone. First of all, for the family and friends, but also for society as a whole. It is a chilling message for those who have worked, and even more dangerous for those who are currently doing journalism and reporting on a daily basis.

Just now, it has been announced that the people who committed the murder of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia have finally been convicted, while in Serbia, not only are things not being resolved, but they are worsening. Those who were suspected of participating in the crime are suing those who wrote about the court proceedings.

Cenzolovka: NUNS records 135 attacks and pressures on journalists, UNS records 16 physical assaults since the beginning of the year, and ANEM highlighted 11 attacks in Pioneer Park (so-called Ćacilend) in the presence of police…

Sever: The numbers are truly alarming. When the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) mission was in Serbia, colleagues from other European countries were shocked by the testimonies of Serbian journalists.

When people from Europe hear from Serbian journalists what is happening to them, how armed individuals break into their newsroom or NGO, searching the premises for over 20 hours – they are in shock. Even the frightening numbers do not convey how terrifying this pressure is in the daily lives of journalists.

Cenzolovka: However, there is no serious reaction from the European Union. What do EU representatives say when you talk to them about this topic?

Sever: Unfortunately, there is no reaction. Tonino Picula recently provided a somewhat sharper and more open report. When we spoke with representatives of European organizations, they mostly shrug their shoulders. Europe is weak, weaker than when Croatia was entering the EU.

They have no mechanism; for some reason – they could lament about it now, but that is not the topic of this interview. Vučić needs them; they turn a blind eye to the evident violations of media freedom and human rights in your country.

I also feel frustration from the 17 statements, 19 alerts, and reports to the MFRR platform, the Council of Europe, and other institutions, but we have no other mechanism. At least when it is recorded somewhere, we have something we can bang on the table with, we can demand, we can insist. At least it should be heard.

Serbian associations and organizations are very active. And we know how much students have contributed to opening certain themes and issues through actions to Strasbourg and Brussels. Even though there are no reactions, we must be loud, united, and help colleagues who are physically endangered, so they can find safety or assist those whose equipment has been damaged.

We are currently working on an international project, a network for psychological support. I believe that today, in our countries, we need to have such a mechanism to support our colleagues.

Source: Cenzolovka