Condemnation of the International Press Institute (IPI) of the Serbian President's attack on Veran Matić

"The International Press Institute (IPI) condemns the recent statement by the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, against IPI's Hero of Press Freedom, Veran Matić, one of the leading media experts in the country. This is yet another alarming attack on the media from the highest level of government," the Vienna-based organization emphasized in its response on official social media accounts.

IPI noted that "the fact that the president has stooped to the level of attacking Mr. Matić – one of the leading media experts in the country and a tireless advocate for a safe and pluralistic media ecosystem – by claiming that he 'hates Serbia' and acts against his own country, is shocking and demonstrates the current level of pressure on independent journalism and media freedoms."

"Matić is currently the president of ANEM and a member of the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists, as well as a member of IPI. This is yet another alarming example of verbal attacks on media professionals coming from the highest level of government and indicates a broader deterioration of media freedom in Serbia over the past six months. We express our strong support and solidarity with Mr. Matić and directly call on the president and other government officials to refrain from undemocratic attacks on the media community," IPI emphasized.

On July 20, Vučić stated during a television program that those convicted in connection with Matić should have their records expunged, and that Matić should apologize to them. Numerous domestic and international organizations reacted, condemning this attack and highlighting that it constitutes a "call for lynching" and a "brutal message against the rule of law."

The International Press Institute (IPI) named Matić one of the 50 Heroes of Press Freedom in 2000.