National Working Group for the Fight Against SLAPP: The Millennium Team lawsuit against the N1 journalist aims to silence journalists.

It is particularly concerning that a criminal proceeding has been initiated against a journalist for reporting on a topic of undeniable public interest, namely the manner in which state subsidies are allocated and the state's relationship with large private companies. The use of criminal legal mechanisms against journalists for published information and value judgments regarding the use of public funds represents a serious form of legal pressure and can have a strong chilling effect on media and journalists reporting on issues of public significance.

Furthermore, we point out that the company did not seek a retraction prior to initiating the proceedings, which further indicates that the aim of the lawsuit is not to exercise the right to correction or response, but rather to exhaust and intimidate the journalist.

This case cannot be viewed in isolation. The company in question has previously been associated with lawsuits against media and journalists, which are often characterized in public as lawsuits with the characteristics of SLAPP (strategic lawsuits against public participation), such as lawsuits with high damage claims against local media in southern Serbia, as well as proceedings against other journalists and editors for reporting on its business activities. Such practices indicate a pattern of strategic use of the judiciary to burden, intimidate, and exhaust media and journalists.

The National Working Group for the Fight Against SLAPP reminds us that, among other things, criminal lawsuits, threats of imprisonment, bans on journalistic work, and high damage claims for reporting on issues of public interest represent proceedings with the characteristics of SLAPP aimed at discouraging critical reporting and narrowing the space for public debate.

We emphasize that this is yet another in a series of lawsuits with the characteristics of SLAPP, which contribute to the narrowing of the space for free and independent public information. We call on judicial institutions to carefully examine the circumstances of this case and to consider the standards for protecting freedom of expression and the public's right to be informed in their proceedings. We also urge the relevant institutions to continue working on establishing effective mechanisms for recognizing and preventing SLAPP lawsuits in Serbia.

The protection of journalists who report on issues of public interest is not only a matter of protecting the profession but also of protecting the democratic order and the citizens' right to know how public resources are being managed.

The undersigned organizations will provide all necessary support to journalist Maja Nikolić and will monitor this case.

The National Working Group for the Fight Against SLAPP, consisting of:

Belgrade Center for Human Rights (BCLJP)

Civic Initiatives

Committee of Lawyers for Human Rights (YUCOM)

KRIK

Independent Journalists' Association of Vojvodina (NDNV)

Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (NUNS)

Partners Serbia

Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation

KROKODIL Association