Press release from Vranje and Bujanovac: Unambiguous support for the editorial team of "Vranje News"

An alarming message was received at the official email of the editorial office of “Vranje News” from the account “cveticaninzeljko06@gmail.com,” which contained bizarre and unacceptable comments about the children of editorial staff members.

According to data from ANEM, other independent media in Serbia have also been systematically targeted from this same address in recent times – “Magločistač” from Subotica, “IN Media” from Inđija, the editorial office of “Južne vesti” and others.

The fact that in none of these previous cases have the authorities uncovered the identity and prosecuted the perpetrator represents a direct green light for the continuation of the hunt against journalists who are professionally doing their jobs.

We are aware that this is not an isolated incident, but a continuation of ongoing work in extremely difficult conditions that have become a daily reality for professional journalism, especially in southern Serbia.

We call on all independent local media, the civil sector, and journalistic associations to join this appeal. Solidarity is the only defense against institutional silence and the normalization of violence against journalists.

We demand that the High-Tech Crime Prosecutor's Office and the police urgently locate and prosecute the owner of the mentioned email account, thereby demonstrating that the law applies to those who threaten journalists.

Signatories:

• Bujanovačke
• InfoPuls
• InfoVranjske.rs
• OK Radio
• Slobodna Reč
• Vranjski online magazine
• Dejana Cvetković, freelance journalist