Journalistic Section of SRG: New Cases of Pressure and Attacks on Journalists During Election Day I

Journalist Ivana Predić from Panpress and journalist Nenad Živković from Pančevo Si Ti went to the City Administration in Pančevo today to seek an explanation as to why they were not allowed to enter polling stations, take photographs, and obtain information from electoral boards regarding voter turnout.

After waiting for the president of the City Electoral Commission, Todor Kužić, he reportedly told them that they could not receive accreditation, that reporting was not permitted, and that they could only operate outside polling stations. When they attempted to discuss this decision, security allegedly removed them from the City Administration, according to their testimony.

 The journalists fear that they will not be allowed access to the work of the City Electoral Commission after the polling stations close.

 The journalistic section of SRG finds the denial of access to the local electoral commission's work particularly concerning, given the obligation of electoral bodies to make their work public.

 Two journalists from the Croatian portal Telegram.hr, Denis Mahmutović and Marko Miščević, were denied entry into Serbia today at the Batrovci border crossing. According to their account, they were turned back with the explanation that they posed a security threat, and they were told that they had written against the authorities.

 ANEM was informed by the director of the news program of the North Macedonian national television ALSAT TV, Adrian Kerimi, that he, journalist Zekirija Haxhiu, and cameraman Besim Shkretu were stopped at the Preševo border crossing and were not allowed to continue their journey to Belgrade after waiting for an hour and a half. They were asked for accreditation, even though they explained that they did not intend to report from polling stations, but rather to film events on the streets. This explanation was also not accepted, and the journalists did not receive any written decision regarding the entry ban.

 The journalistic section of SRG demands that the competent authorities explain the legal basis for denying entry to the five foreign journalists and the circumstances under which such a decision was made on the day of the parliamentary elections.

 A new physical attack on journalists was reported in Bežanijska kosa. According to information from the Blokada Info editorial office, three of their journalists were attacked after a verbal dispute with a group of citizens. The journalists reported the incident to the police.

 At the same time, the Serbian Progressive Party denied accreditation for monitoring election night to journalists and representatives of the N1, Nova, Danas, and Radar editorial offices. The justification given was that their presence in the election headquarters of this party "is not an option".

 The journalistic section of SRG considers it unacceptable to selectively deny access to certain editorial offices due to their editorial policy or previous reporting. Political parties must ensure journalists equal access to information about their work and activities during the electoral process.

 Meanwhile, there has been a resolution in the case of this morning's attack on journalist Mihajlo Stojković from InfoVranjske and journalist Jelena Stojković in Pavlovac near Vranje. According to information from the prosecutor's office, two individuals were arrested on suspicion of committing the criminal offense of violent behavior. The journalistic section of SRG expects the proceedings to be conducted without delay and for those responsible to be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

 The journalistic section of SRG reminds that other cases of interference with journalists' work were already recorded during the morning hours, including the denial of access to polling stations in Čačak, Pančevo, and the General Consulate of Serbia in Chicago, as well as a physical attack on journalists in Pavlovac near Vranje.

 These new incidents demonstrate that issues concerning the safety of journalists and their right to report freely are not resolved and require continuous response from the authorities.

 We call on the police, prosecutors, electoral bodies, and all other participants in the electoral process to ensure the safe and uninterrupted work of journalists until its conclusion and to respond without delay to any case of attack, threat, or interference with professional work.

 We remind that emergency phone lines are available for media reporting from the field: ANEM Safe Line 0800 100 115, NUNS emergency numbers 060 688 22 31 and 066 8822 008, while journalists can contact the UNS representatives in SRG and lawyers at the phone numbers 062 530 337 and 064 941 04 89.

We urge all journalists and media representatives to report any threats, pressure, attacks, or other forms of interference with their work and safety.

 Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)

Independent Journalists' Association of Vojvodina (NDNV)

Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS)

Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation – Association of Online Media (SĆF – AOM)

Journalists' Association of Serbia (UNS)

Media Association (AsMedi)