SafeJournalists: Urgently identify and punish those who threaten Veran Matić in Serbia.

The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) has reported a series of threats and disturbing messages to the relevant prosecutor's office, left on social media. In the comments under Vukša Dragović's Facebook post, which contains a statement by Veran Matić taken out of context, a profile named "Aleksandar Mosic" wrote: "Hang the scum and leave the corpse for the animals to devour."

Messages from other profiles included: "First, we will sacrifice you," "He will stop living soon," "This filthy Ustaša scum needs to be dealt with publicly," and "Where does he live? In Serbia? What are we waiting for?" Under the same post on the social network X, a message appeared: "... we will sacrifice him first."

The SafeJournalists network warns that these messages cannot be viewed as isolated incidents but rather in the context of long-term targeting, discrediting, and threats that Matić has been exposed to. Particularly concerning is the fact that alongside direct threats, dangerous falsehoods are spreading, portraying him as an enemy of the state and the people, and linking him to serious crimes.

In recent periods, Matić has been the subject of numerous campaigns in the media and on social networks, with threats becoming increasingly frequent and explicit. There have been incidents where his safety has been directly endangered, including an attack in front of the National Assembly of Serbia, where his mobile phone was confiscated. Matić has also been targeted in campaigns by the highest state officials.

Due to the frequency, content, and intensity of the new messages, the SafeJournalists network calls for the Special Prosecutor's Office for High-Tech Crime and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to urgently identify the individuals behind the accounts from which the threats were sent, determine their responsibility, and initiate appropriate proceedings.

Relevant institutions must take every message threatening death or violence against a journalist or media worker seriously, especially when there is a continuity of threats and previously documented endangerment of safety. The absence of a swift and effective response may further encourage perpetrators and contribute to creating an atmosphere in which violence against journalists is normalized.

The network once again warns that the public labeling of journalists and media professionals as enemies, traitors, or threats to society by public officials or other influential actors has contributed to creating such an environment where threats and violence become more acceptable.

The SafeJournalists network expresses full solidarity with Veran Matić and expects institutions to take all necessary measures to ensure his safety.

The network will monitor this case and inform relevant domestic and international organizations that deal with the protection of press freedom and the safety of journalists.

Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica – Tirana, August 8, 2026.

Croatian Journalists' Association

Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia

Media Trade Union of Montenegro

Journalists' Association of Kosovo

Journalists' Association of Macedonia

BH Journalists Association