SafeJournalists: We condemn the physical attack on the team of the Provjereno program of Nove TV in Croatia.
The SafeJournalists network strongly condemns the physical attack and threats directed at the journalistic team of the show *Provjereno* from Nove TV, which occurred during the filming of a news story about the destruction of the area along the Una River, in the Štrbački Buk region.
On Saturday, May 10, 2025, journalist Danka Derifaj and cameraman Miroslav Bokan were attacked while carrying out their journalistic duties in a public area. A married couple, who have been illegally using and damaging state land for years, refused to speak with the journalists and instead verbally assaulted, insulted, and intimidated them. Soon, the threats escalated into a physical attack—first on cameraman Bokan, and then on journalist Derifaj, who was struck during the incident.
According to a statement from the Police Administration of the Lika-Senj County, a 65-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman, both Croatian citizens, were arrested and charged with the criminal offense of coercion against a person performing public interest work or in public service. They have been placed in detention pending criminal proceedings.
We commend the swift response of the Croatian police and emphasize the importance of implementing the Protocol on Police Conduct in Cases of Criminal Offenses Against Journalists, which was signed by the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia, the Croatian Journalists' Association, and the Union of Croatian Journalists.
However, this disturbing incident serves as a reminder of the persistent risks faced by journalists in the region—particularly when reporting on public interest issues, including corruption, illegal activities, and the abuse of public property.
The SafeJournalists network calls on Croatian authorities to ensure a prompt and transparent investigation, and for the perpetrators to be appropriately punished in accordance with the law. A strong institutional response is necessary to combat the growing climate of impunity and intimidation that journalists increasingly face.
Journalists must not become targets for doing their jobs—work that serves the public and democracy.
Any attack on journalists is an attack on freedom of expression, the public's right to information, and fundamental democratic values.
Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica, 13.05.2025.
Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Association of Journalists of Macedonia
BH Journalists Association
Croatian Journalists' Association
Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia
Media Union of Montenegro
Source: Safe Journalists
