Reporters Without Borders: At least 89 physical attacks on journalists in Serbia in the past year.

When independent journalist Dalibor Stupar tried to document the arrival of pro-government activists by bus, he was obstructed by those who were supposed to protect him, Reporters Without Borders reminds us.

They add that after pushing him away, police unlawfully confiscated his phone, claiming he had no right to report on a public gathering organized on October 11 by regime supporters as a counter-protest to anti-regime demonstrations. The attack on this journalist from the Beta agency and the Autonomija portal is symptomatic of the situation faced by Serbian journalists, who have been reporting for a year on protests triggered by the collapse of the railway station in Novi Sad, which resulted in the deaths of 16 people.

Since November 1, 2024, media professionals in Serbia have been victims of at least 89 physical attacks, according to records from Reporters Without Borders. The total number for 2025 is 82 cases, the highest number of incidents in a year since 2008. About half of the violence was perpetrated by police officers who, moreover, turn a blind eye when pro-government activists attack journalists.

Through NUNS, RSF supports targeted journalists by providing financial support and technical assistance for the procurement of protective vests for professionals reporting from protests.

"We pay tribute to Serbian journalists who heroically report on protests while facing the institutionalization of violence by the regime of President Aleksandar Vučić. We call on the international community to provide financial, legal, and political support so they can work safely and ensure that their attackers are brought to justice. Press freedom in Serbia is at stake, as is our right to be informed about events in this EU candidate country, including respect for the right to assemble by the authorities," stated Pavol Salaj, director of RSF's office in Prague.

European Response to RSF's Appeals

Following appeals in July and August 2025 made by RSF and other international and Serbian organizations, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on October 22 sharply criticizing the Serbian government.

It acknowledges that "more journalists have been attacked or denied protection while reporting on protests," and condemns the incitement of hatred against demonstrators and journalists by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.

He has, as stated, "portrayed the protests as ‘colored revolutions’ organized and financed by foreign intelligence services of Western countries, and conveyed this through pro-government media," according to the resolution of the European Parliament. The resolution also condemns political pressures directed at Serbia's largest independent channel, N1, whose newsroom has been nominated for RSF's Press Freedom Prize 2025 in the Courage category for its reporting on the protests.

A week before the adoption of the European Parliament resolution, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, during a meeting in Belgrade with Aleksandar Vučić, limited her message to the need for mere "progress regarding [...] media freedom." However, nine international organizations focused on the protection of media freedom and journalists, including RSF, warned her about the dangerous precedent that inaction by the EU in Serbia could create in the Western Balkans region.

"The instruments at the Commission's disposal, including the suspension of EU funds, should be applied to send a clear message about the EU's commitment to independent journalism and media freedom in the region," they wrote in a joint statement on October 13.

Two Particularly Violent Days

Since RSF's last assessment in August 2025, two days have been particularly violent for journalists reporting on protests in Novi Sad. On September 5, police officers attacked Emir Kahrimanović from the 021.rs website, Katarina Stevanović from the weekly Vreme, Nemanja Sarović from the KTV channel, as well as Ksenija Pavkov and her cameraman from N1 television. Additionally, during a raid at the University of Novi Sad, police detained several members of the student editorial board Blokada info and confiscated their equipment.

On October 11, police used disproportionate force against Darija Matić from the Mašina.rs website, Brankica Matić from the Storyteller website, and Miljkо Stojanović and Anđela Risantijević from the Glas Zaječara website. On the same day, a man threatened and followed N1 journalist Lea Apro before grabbing her arm and taking her phone; the police arrested him— which is a rare occurrence.

Out of a total of 180 countries and territories in RSF's 2025 World Press Freedom Index, Serbia ranks 96th.

Source: Reporters Without Borders