Journalistic and Media Organizations: Judgment Against IN Media – An Example of Abuse of the Right to Sue and an Attack on Freedom of Expression
The undersigned journalism and media organizations are concerned about the survival of the independent Inđija portal IN Media after the Appellate Court in Belgrade upheld the first-instance ruling of the Higher Court, which orders the editorial office to pay a total of 161,000 dinars in damages and legal costs, due to an article in which the media reported that the municipality of Inđija gifted honey for potency to children. This is the first ruling issued out of a total of 7 identical SLAPP lawsuits. We fear that the outcome in the other cases will be the same, which could lead to the shutdown of this independent media outlet.
The process was completed in a very short time, considering it was initiated in March of last year.
"In October, we received a non-final judgment, after which we appealed to the Court of Appeals, and they simply confirmed the first-instance ruling: 100 thousand for damages and 61 thousand for court costs, to be paid within 8 days," stated Verica Marinčić, the responsible editor of IN Media.
"Either we will shut down, or we will raise the money," she added.
It is paradoxical that no one is held accountable for the oversight made by the local government, but rather the media that pointed out the mistake.
SLAPP lawsuits (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) represent an abuse of the right to sue, aimed at intimidating and financially exhausting journalists and editorial teams. These lawsuits are increasingly used as a tool to stifle freedom of expression, particularly against small, local, and independent media that are already facing funding shortages from competitions announced by public authorities.
The case of IN Media clearly demonstrates how SLAPP lawsuits can lead to the closure of media outlets, which would be a serious blow to media pluralism and the right of citizens to be informed.
The Council of Europe and the European Parliament have already recognized SLAPP lawsuits as a danger to democracy and recommended that member states introduce mechanisms into their legislation to prevent them. Unfortunately, in Serbia, this term has not yet been officially accepted, but the practice of multiple identical lawsuits clearly shows that it is an abuse of the judiciary aimed at silencing the media.
It is essential for the state to recognize the problem of SLAPP and, following the recommendations of the Council of Europe and the European Union, to do everything necessary to combat this form of media freedom violation.
IN Media has been working in the interest of the citizens of Inđija and Serbia for years, and now it needs our solidarity.
Anyone wishing to help can make a donation to the account: 105-2349723-44
For international payments: 105-0595120012960-58
IBAN RS35105059512001296058
We must not allow the media to shut down simply for speaking the truth.
Belgrade, July 14, 2025.
Media Association
Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)
Association of Online Media (AOM)
GS KUM “Independence”
Local Press
Independent Journalists' Society of Vojvodina (NDNV)
Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (NUNS)
Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation
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