SafeJournalists: Attacks and Pressures on Journalists in the Region 2025 – Few Verdicts, Many Open Proceedings

Montenegro

As of November 2, the SafeJournalists database has recorded 22 cases. The police registered 14 cases from January 1 to June 30. Four convictions have been issued by the courts, which distinguishes Montenegro in terms of the number of concluded proceedings.

At the same time, there are 7 cases pending at the prosecutor's offices, 2 are before the courts, and the status of 2 is unknown. There have also been 4 cases of unjustified judicial or administrative harassment, including SLAPP lawsuits. Additionally, in 3 instances, journalists have been verbally targeted by high officials, with no proceedings initiated according to available information.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Throughout 2025, the SafeJournalists database recorded 30 incidents against journalists and media workers. A limited number of cases have been reported to the relevant institutions: 9 to the police and 6 to the prosecutor's office.

So far, two court outcomes have been recorded: one conviction (against an attacker on journalists) and one acquittal of a journalist from charges. There are at least three cases pending at prosecutor's offices and two before the courts, indicating a slow pace of proceedings and a small share of final outcomes.

North Macedonia

During 2025, 3 cases were registered in the database, all reported to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. One case — an attack on the TV Alsat crew — concluded with a conviction against the attacker.

The remaining two are ongoing: one is with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and one is with the prosecutor's office.

Croatia

In 2025, 24 cases were recorded in the SafeJournalists database. 12 cases have been reported to the institutions.

According to the data from the Croatian Journalists' Association, there are at least 3 cases pending at prosecutor's offices and 1 before the court, indicating a slow judicial pace and a limited number of judicial resolutions.

Kosovo

From January 1 to October 31, 2025, 63 cases were registered. Official information from the police/prosecutor's office exists for 12 cases, of which 2 concluded with convictions and 10 are still in process.

The remaining 51 cases were reported solely to the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) and have not been officially recorded with the relevant authorities, highlighting a deep gap between the actual number of incidents and institutional responses.

Albania

A total of 36 cases have been recorded. The police have been notified of 18 direct threats and attacks, while 4 cases are in the process at the prosecutor's office.

Due to discrepancies between police and prosecutor data, there is no reliable information regarding dismissed reports or court outcomes. Currently, 4 open cases are known at the prosecutor's office; data on court proceedings are not available.

Serbia

The SafeJournalists database recorded 238 cases, of which, according to the data available to us, 136 were reported to the police and prosecutors. 7 criminal reports were dismissed. The courts issued 1 conviction. There are 126 cases ongoing at prosecutor's offices, and in 2 cases, an indictment has been filed.

Additionally, 33 unreported cases have been recorded, further indicating the extent of impunity and distrust in institutional protection. Due to the large number of cases and discrepancies in data from the prosecutor's records, we do not have information on certain cases.

Journalists in Serbia have been subjected to frequent attacks, particularly since November 1 of last year and the tragedy in Novi Sad. In the past 12 months, a record number of physical incidents have been recorded, mostly during various protests and public gatherings.

Attacks come from supporters of the authorities, and a significant number of attacks have been recorded by members of the police — the institution that should protect journalists. An increasing number of media workers report being attacked by police officers or being passive witnesses to violence against journalists. At the same time, many do not report incidents at all due to distrust in institutions and the slow, ineffective handling of already reported cases.

These data clearly show that impunity remains a systemic problem. We call on all institutions to urgently ensure faster investigations, effective prosecutions, and consistent rulings, as well as protective mechanisms that guarantee journalists safe work and access to justice.

In some countries of the Western Balkans, statistics regarding attacks on journalists and their impunity are alarming. We must not wait for the number of attacks to increase further and for attackers to remain unpunished. It is urgently necessary to take decisive and concrete steps to create a safe environment and a fair legal framework for journalists and media freedom in this region.

Impunity for attacks on journalists not only jeopardizes their lives but also undermines the fundamental values of democracy, freedom of expression, and access to information. In the absence of adequate protection, journalists become targets, and citizens are deprived of timely and accurate information.

We urge international organizations and institutions to continue supporting the strengthening of the rule of law and media freedom in the region, as well as to exert additional pressure on authorities to take concrete steps in the fight against impunity.

The SafeJournalists network will continue this fight to ensure a safe environment for journalists and will always stand in defense of media freedom, which is the foundation of a democratic society.