Discussion on Journalist Safety: No Issues with the Police in Čačak, Aggressive Members of the Gendarmerie from Kraljevo

Matić emphasized during the discussion on journalist safety at the local level, which took place today in Čačak with representatives of local media, that unfortunately it is becoming commonplace for female journalists to be more exposed to threats via the internet and social media than their male colleagues. He added that this number is significantly higher than what has been reported.

Matić also pointed out that the police have changed their approach to violence against journalists, both male and female, as well as to investigative actions related to cases of attacks on journalists, by failing to provide notifications to the prosecution.

“According to the NUNS database, since the beginning of the year, we have recorded 320 cases of pressure, threats, and physical attacks. Of these, 133 are attacks, including 46 on female journalists, and 22 on cameramen and photographers, which has become a specific issue in the last 12 months. There have been 118 threats and over 100 different types of pressure. On average, we have attacks on journalists every third day, which is absolutely abnormal. We are witnessing a daily increase in violence, not only against journalists but also against students and citizens who protest,” Matić assessed.

Nebojša Jovanović, a correspondent for Nova S and a journalist for Ozon Press, who was attacked in July in front of the SNS premises in Kraljevo by the police while performing his duties, stated that there have been discussions with the police and their internal control sector.

“They said they would inform us of the outcome, but given what has been rejected so far, I assume this case will also be dismissed,” Jovanović emphasized, adding that after the July incident, there have been no physical attacks, only verbal ones in the form of insults and catcalling at counter-protests.

The editor of the Epicentar Press portal from Čačak, Milena Gavrilović, added that journalists in that city do not have issues with the police, but that members of the gendarmerie from Kraljevo have been aggressive.

“The police in Čačak are accommodating and attentive,” Gavrilović noted, a sentiment echoed by her colleagues. She added that their portal has reported cases of death threats, threats from SNS officials, and hacking attacks.

Ivona Živković from the KV Spektrum portal in Kraljevo cited an example where a woman attempted to attack her during a protest while she was trying to take a photograph, and the police intervened, but the further actions of the police were lacking.

Representatives of local media from Čačak, Ivanjica, Požega, Kraljevo, and Gornji Milanovac, who participated in the discussion, pointed out that recently they have been experiencing unpleasantness not only from the authorities but also from citizens protesting, as tensions in society are rising and everyone is viewing everything as “either black or white.”

Veran Matić assessed that in the coming period there are no indications that things will improve and that journalists should be equipped with protective gear and educated about safety while reporting at public gatherings. He also urged everyone to report any form of violence through the Safe Line at 0800 100 115.

The project "System for the Prevention of Violence and Protection of Journalists" is implemented by ANEM in partnership with Insider TV and the Center for the Development of Local Media, with support from the European Union and the Balkan Fund for Democracy and the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications of the Republic of Serbia.

The OSCE Mission in Serbia supported ANEM's project "24/7 SOS Hotline for Assistance to Journalists and Other Vulnerable Media Workers," under the project funded by the European Union "Strengthening Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom in Serbia."