From incident to pattern - violence against journalists is no longer an exception but a rule.

During the reporting in front of the Rectorate of the University of Belgrade, regarding the entry of members of the Criminal Police Administration (UKP) into the Rectorate building, a large number of journalists were prevented from carrying out their work smoothly, while some were subjected to direct physical violence.

Photo reporter Gavrilo Andrić was pushed roughly several times by police officers, received a kick, and endured three blows with a baton to his equipment. His colleague, photo reporter Nađa Gavrilović, was also violently pushed multiple times, while police officers raised their batons towards her on several occasions, clearly threatening the use of force. Photo reporter Katarina Redžić was physically obstructed in her work, and at one point, two police officers roughly shoved her to the ground.

Photo reporter Luka Pešić sustained multiple blows to the head from police officers, while photo reporter Marko Dragoslavić was struck in the head by a metal object thrown by an as-yet unidentified individual, after which he received medical assistance at a healthcare facility.

The unacceptable behavior of the police towards the N1 television team was recorded. Upon their request to be allowed to pass behind the police cordon to continue reporting safely, they found themselves caught between the police and the citizens when the police began to push back the citizens. The officers refused, even though some journalists were located behind the cordon. In response to journalist Tamara Stojanović's indication that such behavior was not in accordance with regulations, one of the police officers replied, "A lot of things are not in accordance with the regulations." In the chaotic pushing that followed, journalist Stojanović was knocked to the ground.

Journalist Ana Mihajlovski from the portal "Naš portal" was sprayed directly in the eyes and mouth by the police while reporting on their actions, which represents yet another serious and unacceptable form of the use of force.

In addition to physical attacks, serious threats against journalists continue. Marko Vidojković and Nenad Kulačin were once again threatened via the YouTube channel "Dobar, loš, zao," with the content: "Aha, 15,000 people watched you, but how many will come to your funeral, and that soon."

Journalistic and media associations and unions have repeatedly warned about the unacceptable behavior of the police and demanded an immediate cessation of such practices. Yesterday's events represent a new wave of violence and clear evidence that all boundaries have long been crossed.

This police behavior cannot be viewed as an isolated incident but as a pattern of continuous, systemic violence and intimidation of journalists that has lasted for over a year. We assess that this is a dangerous practice indicating an abuse of authority and an open disregard for the law by those who are obligated to enforce it. It is unacceptable for the police, instead of protecting journalists and allowing them to work freely, to become a factor of their endangerment.

Particularly concerning is the fact that to date, no responsibility has been established in any case of police attacks on journalists, neither in criminal proceedings nor within the Internal Control Sector of the Ministry of Interior. This impunity further encourages violence and represents one of the key problems regarding the safety of journalists in Serbia.

We demand an urgent and unequivocal response from the Ministry of Interior: the identification and sanctioning of all police officers involved in violence, the initiation of proceedings before the Internal Control Sector, and potentially criminal proceedings, as well as a clear commitment that such practices will be immediately and permanently ceased. Any further tolerance of violence against journalists will be considered a direct responsibility of the relevant authorities.

We also call on the competent prosecutor's office to act without delay in the case of threats directed at Marko Vidojković and Nenad Kulačin, to identify the perpetrators and appropriately sanction them, as well as to effectively process all cases of attacks on journalists that occurred yesterday.

Journalistic and media associations and unions once again warn that free and safe journalism is one of the foundations of any democratic society and that they will continue to insist on the protection of the rights and safety of all media workers.

Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia

Media Association (AM)

Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)

Online Media Association (AOM)

Trade Union of Culture, Arts, and Media "Nezavisnost"

Independent Journalists' Society of Vojvodina (NDNV)

Business Association of Local and Independent Media "Lokal Pres"

Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation

SafeJournalists Network:

Croatian Journalists' Association

Journalists' Association of Kosovo

Journalists' Association of Macedonia

Journalists' Association of BH

Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia

Media Union of Montenegro