International Day of SOS Phones: Over 600 Calls via the Safe Line for Journalists in 2025.

Through this SOS hotline launched by ANEM in 2022, over 400 reports have been recorded, compared to more than 360 the previous year, and around 370 in 2024. In the last ten months, up to the end of April, more than 380 calls from journalists and media workers reporting various forms of security threats have been received.

ANEM has documented over 190 different forms of attacks and threats against journalists and editorial offices, of which 83 have been reported to the prosecution, and 25 to the police.

“Last year, we had a record number of threats, physical attacks, and other forms of jeopardizing the safety of journalists and media in Serbia, and the majority of cases have not received a legal resolution. The impunity for violence against media workers sends a negative message to the public that attacks on journalists are permissible, which is unacceptable. Institutions clearly are not doing their job when it comes to protecting public information, but it is crucial that every case is reported and documented,” said Veran Matić, President of the ANEM Management Board, member of the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists, and operator on the Safe Line for Journalists 0800 100 115.

Due to the increase in threats and attacks on journalists, including violence involving police, and the inaction of police and prosecution institutions that are supposed to provide protection, journalists are facing growing mental health issues as well as deteriorated overall health. The existence of such SOS lines and legal assistance, as well as support related to mental health, is becoming increasingly significant.

ANEM appeals to all journalists and media representatives to regularly report any form of security threat while performing their work. A toll-free phone number and direct line to ANEM, 0800 100 115, is available to all journalists, where media representatives can receive explanations about the legal treatment of offenses and the procedures that should be initiated to report threats to the relevant institutions, police, and prosecution.

The OSCE Mission to Serbia has supported ANEM's project “24/7 SOS Hotline for Assistance to Journalists and Other Threatened Media Workers,” under the EU-funded project “Strengthening Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom in Serbia.”

Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)