The dismissal of Marija Šehić from TV Euronews Serbia is an example of the persecution of a journalist who opposed professional dishonor.

Journalist Marija Šehić has officially been terminated from her position at Arena News Channels DOO Belgrade because she "carelessly or negligently performed her work duties" and "violated work discipline." The real reason is her months-long struggle, along with her colleagues from the newsroom, for decent journalism and the right to dignified work.

This became particularly evident to the public when more than 80 journalists and media workers from this outlet issued a statement distancing themselves from the article "We call on the authorities to enable RTS to operate," published on April 18 in the name of the editorial board, without her knowledge. The signatories, including Marija Šehić, thus opposed the leading "duo" without whose consent such a text could not have been published.

The Resolution on the termination of Marija Šehić's employment contract, which we have reviewed, clearly indicates that this draconian measure, leaving her jobless, is based on other motives, as three situations are cited as grounds, one of which is that she mistakenly stated the roles of two guests during a live program, which she corrected in the same broadcast.

We remind you that in the previous period, journalists and media workers at Euronews Serbia have been subjected to serious pressures from the editorial and management, including censorship, a ban on asking questions to the authorities, and sanctions for professional conduct. They have been openly threatened with termination and suggested that they must be loyal to the media owner, which jeopardizes freedom of expression and editorial independence. After expressing disagreement with the company's policies, employees face retaliation through schedule changes, notices of layoffs, and attempts to justify technological redundancies.

We fear that the management of Euronews Serbia will continue to deal harshly with journalists and media workers who have signed the statement from April 18 and have thus become "undesirable."

Following yesterday's termination of journalist Marija Šehić, today employees at Euronews Serbia received a letter from editor Dragana Pejović stating that starting "Saturday, June 14, weekend news will operate in a single shift," which for them represents an announcement of new "redundancies" and layoffs.

We remind you that the Law on Public Information and Media clearly stipulates that every media publisher must adopt a general act defining measures and procedures for protecting editorial policy – which in this case has obviously not been done or implemented. A review of the media register by the Business Registers Agency indicates that Euronews has not adopted or submitted this document, which is contrary to the law.

Therefore, we demand that the management and editorial board of Euronews Serbia immediately cease practices that jeopardize the professional integrity and freedom of expression of employees, and ensure conditions for free and dignified work without fear of repression – including the cessation of pressures in the form of threats of termination and disciplinary measures for conscientious and responsible journalistic work. We also call on them to reconsider their decision regarding the termination issued yesterday to colleague Marija Šehić.

Any attempt to suppress media freedoms and violate the rights of journalists must be urgently and unequivocally condemned.

Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (NUNS)

Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS)

Independent Society of Journalists of Vojvodina (NDNV)

Online Media Association (AOM)

Business Association of Local and Independent Media "Local Press"

Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)

Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation

Media Association

GS KUM Independence