SafeJournalists: We condemn the sexist and nationalist insults and threats directed at the journalist in Serbia.

After reporting on the local elections held in Kula on Sunday, journalist Kristina Demeter Filipčev was subjected to a series of insults based on gender and nationality, as well as threats of rape and messages stating that “her house should be blocked.” Such messages represent a serious form of online violence, gender-based harassment, and intimidation, aimed at humiliating the journalist, silencing her, and deterring her from her professional work.

Comments such as: “Block the house of this journalist,” “You are a Ustaša terrorist…” “Banaćani came to f*** Hungarian women, they don’t know how to say no,” “Since you write like that, put up a picture so you can see that I can f*** and beat you…” “Damn your Ustaša mother,” “F*** you, you piece of s***…” represent unacceptable hate speech, misogynistic and nationalist targeting, and threats that must be taken seriously. Particularly concerning is the fact that sexualized violence and ethnic intolerance are used as a means of attacking the journalist simply because she was doing her job and reporting on a matter of public interest.

The Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (NUNS) will report the threats to the Prosecutor's Office for High-Tech Crime and expects a swift, effective, and thorough investigation. The absence of timely institutional responses in such cases sends a dangerous message of impunity and further encourages violence against female and male journalists.

We particularly emphasize that female and male journalists reporting from smaller communities are often subjected to increased pressures, as they work in environments where they are easily recognizable, and the consequences of targeting are often felt by their families as well. Therefore, in such cases, an urgent institutional response is necessary, along with a clear public condemnation of all forms of intimidation and online violence.

The SafeJournalists network once again warns that representatives of the authorities bear a special responsibility for the social climate in which such attacks are possible. Almost daily targeting of independent journalists and media in statements and public appearances by high-ranking officials contributes to an atmosphere of hostility, encourages hate campaigns, and emboldens individuals to consider threats and insults as permissible forms of dealing with the media.

The SafeJournalists network expresses full solidarity with Kristina Demeter Filipčev and calls on domestic and international actors to closely monitor the actions of the institutions in this case.

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

Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica – Tirana, March 31, 2026.

Croatian Journalists' Association

Association of Journalists of Kosovo

Association of Journalists of Macedonia

Association of BH Journalists

Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia

Media Union of Montenegro