SafeJournalists: Attacks, Detentions, and Access Restrictions – Increasing Pressures on Journalists in Serbia

Journalist Ivana Marković from Nova TV and cameraman Dejan Marković, as well as journalist Tamara Radovanović from Južne vesti, have been subjected to physical and verbal attacks. Additionally, without any basis, Nikola Doderović, a correspondent for Australian radio SBS and a doctoral student at the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš, was detained while reporting on the event.

The day before, on the eve of the central gathering, cameraman Marjan Vučetić from N1 TV was physically attacked in the village of Makovište while attempting to film the event in the presence of the president of the SNS, Miloš Vučević. According to him, the attack was initiated by the president of the local community, and this occurred in plain view of Vučević.

Ivana Marković and Dejan Marković were attacked in the city center by two men who insulted them, shoved them, and used a megaphone to demand that they move away, while Tamara Radovanović was attacked while filming the departure of a bus with government supporters. The assailant attempted to snatch her phone, and instead of protecting her, the police removed her from the scene – allegedly to “avoid raising tensions,” while no measures were taken against the assailant. This represents a new case of police failure to protect journalists, allowing others to attack them with impunity.

It is particularly concerning that independent journalists were denied entry to the fenced area of the central event, as accreditations were granted exclusively to journalists close to the government. This constituted discrimination against media outlets that were prevented from reporting on the public gathering.

Further alarm is raised by the detention of Nikola Doderović and his colleague, who were held by the police and questioned about their reporting motives without any legal grounds, which constitutes a form of intimidation against journalists.

The SafeJournalists network demands an urgent and effective response from the police and the prosecutor's office, identification and prosecution of all attackers. We call on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to immediately cease the practice of unjustified detention of journalists, to ensure their safety in the field, and to provide conditions for their unobstructed reporting from protests and other public gatherings. It is essential that the relevant authorities provide a clear explanation regarding each case of journalist detention without valid legal grounds. Additionally, it is necessary for police officers to cease inadequate responses in cases where journalists are subjected to attacks and to act in accordance with professional standards and the laws of the Republic of Serbia.

Attacks on journalists are attacks on freedom of expression and the public's right to be informed. Any tolerance of violence against the media further undermines the already fragile democracy and turns an atmosphere of fear into a new "normal" for journalists who perform their jobs professionally. We remind that it is the state's obligation to ensure a safe environment for media workers to operate.

The SafeJournalists network calls on international organizations and partners to closely monitor the situation and exert additional pressure on institutions in Serbia to guarantee the safety of journalists and respect for their rights.

The SafeJournalists network will inform national and international stakeholders about these concerning developments and continue to carefully monitor the situation.

Every attack on journalists is an attack on democracy, the public interest, and fundamental human rights.

Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica, May 19, 2025.

Association of Journalists of Kosovo

Association of Journalists of Macedonia

Association of BH Journalists

Croatian Journalists' Association

Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia

Media Union of Montenegro