NUNS: May – Serious threats to journalists and new pressures on media freedoms.

Serious Threats Directed at Journalists

The editorial team of the Mašina portal has come under serious threats on social media. In a comment under a post on the Instagram profile of this media outlet, where the editorial team called on followers to support their work through donations, a threat was issued from the account batko67: “I’m donating you a bullet to the forehead, only.” On the same day, after the editorial team informed the public about the threats, several disturbing comments followed, including a new threat from another profile: “You will end up in a barrel.”

Journalist Srđan Nonić received two disturbing messages containing threats and insults on his Facebook page "Niška inicijativa" on May 18. The messages initially stated: “You are a stinky guy. You should be hanged! Stinky Smradino.” In response to Nonić’s question: “Who are you, hero? Introduce yourself. Do you want to hang me?”, he received an answer from the same profile: “Let’s get to know each other? Come on, hero. Stinky, get in touch.” Subsequently, the same person sent another message with similar insults and disturbing content, asking Nonić to meet in person.

Journalist of Sportklub Nikola Stamenić received threats on May 18, following the publication of the article "Summary at the End of 2025: Obligations of Red Star €86,000,000". A direct threat was issued in a comment on the portal by a user named Boško: “Nikola Stamenić, I have two sons and a daughter, I personally swear to you that you won’t live long for these provocations and spreading hatred; I will ruin your life. Take this very seriously; I won’t gain anything from this, but my children will have something, and some new generations will live somewhat happily without lies, tensions, and spreading hatred. People like you, various Pantićs and Tegeltis, do not belong on this earth!”

Now former editor of Naš Portal Ana Mihajlovski was targeted by pressure and threats from individuals associated with the portal, after which she decided to leave the editorial position and transfer ownership. Following this, threats also came from other individuals after the journalist announced her departure from editorial duties and activities at the portal.

Interference with Journalists During Coverage of Public Events

Several cases of interference with journalists during the coverage of public events were recorded in May. On May 5, at a session of the Kula municipal assembly, where a president of the assembly was elected amid a tense situation due to repeated voting and observed irregularities, a reporter from television N1 entered and was soon physically removed from the hall, even though she had accreditation to cover the event.

Journalist Aleksandar Blanuša was physically obstructed and attacked on May 8 at the Great Market in Zrenjanin, when a conflict broke out between SNS members and activists of the United Phantom Movement (PUF). The journalist attempted to obtain a statement from Mayor Sime Salapura but was unsuccessful because, as he reported, activists and supporters of the SNS pushed, tripped, and obstructed him in performing his journalistic duties. Activists stood in front of his camera, and at one point, SNS officials attempted to seize his phone. Several hours later, supporters and activists of the SNS gathered at a roundabout, insulting him and his family. Blanuša carried his press credentials with him at all times.

After a protest held in Belgrade on May 23, where clashes occurred between the police and a number of citizens, a journalist from the Zoomer portal who was covering the event was pushed away. At one point, while filming police action in which officers were striking a young man with batons, she was pushed back with a shield by a police officer, even though she was visibly marked and wearing a press vest.

Verdict Against the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation Poses Pressure on Freedom of Expression

The Second Basic Court in Belgrade issued a first-instance ruling obligating the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation (SĆF) to pay a total of 1,035,000 dinars, or to pay each of the plaintiffs 200,000 dinars as compensation for non-material damage due to emotional distress caused by the violation of honor and reputation, as well as litigation costs. Former members of the State Security Service sued the SĆF over a statement expressing dissatisfaction with the final acquittal of the Appeals Court in the case of the murder of journalist Slavko Ćuruvija.

From the very beginning, this lawsuit has been characterized as a SLAPP lawsuit; however, the court did not take into account the defense's claims. It is particularly concerning that the court made this decision after the Supreme Court established in the acquittal ruling of the Appeals Court significant violations of the provisions of the criminal procedure in favor of the defendants, former members of the State Security Service who sued the Foundation for reacting to the acquittal ruling. Besides the fact that justice in the case of the murder of Slavko Ćuruvija has not been served, this ruling represents an additional pressure on the Foundation, which publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the acquittal ruling. Such a decision can have a chilling effect on freedom of expression and reporting on issues of exceptional public interest, sending a message that organizations and individuals who critically address these topics may become targets of legal action.

The National Working Group for the Fight Against SLAPP has assessed that this ruling poses a dangerous pressure on freedom of expression and warned that such rulings directly narrow the space for public debate and encourage further use of the judiciary as an instrument of pressure.

Potential Sale of Adria News Network Media Threatens Media Freedoms

Information about the sale of one of the last independent media outlets in Serbia to Alpac Capital represents a direct and unavoidable threat to media freedoms in Serbia and the Western Balkans.

In this way, one of the last editorially independent television news broadcasters, daily newspapers, and online media platforms in Serbia comes under the control of a company whose existing media investments have been documented to be marked by accusations of censorship, political interference, and the undermining of editorial standards.

The future owners of Alpac Capital acquired a majority stake in Euronews in 2022, and the license for Euronews Serbia was then granted to the state-owned company Telekom Srbija, whose general director was recorded discussing strategies to weaken N1 with the director of United Group. This conversation included a personal request from President Vučić to remove one of the key guarantors of editorial independence from the company.

Investigative reports from the French portals Direkt36 and Le Monde later revealed that this acquisition was partially financed by Hungarian state capital and companies close to the political networks of Viktor Orban.

Source: NUNS