Press Release: Seven Portals Violated the Journalists' Code with Articles about Veran Matić and Cenzolovka

As assessed, multiple points of the journalistic code were violated by these texts, specifically from the media outlets 24sedam, Užice Oglasna Tabla, Lučani Uživo, NS Uživo, Drina Info, Prijepolje Info, and Vesti.rs.

In the complaint filed by Veran Matić, it is stated that the headlines of the articles convey the falsehood that Cenzolovka is under his patronage.

"I do not distance myself from this significant professional and important media outlet, but it is well known that I have no institutional ties with Cenzolovka. The first sentence continues in the same style, claiming that I promote a 'false state of Kosovo' through my media. And so on. The direct address to me in the last sentence I perceive as a threat within which all previously stated lies are packaged. I understand them as a continuation of the campaign of threats by the Center for Social Stability since the propaganda piece 'Zlo doba 2' was created, which was distributed through 25 portals owned by entities closely linked to this Center, and about which the Appeals Commission has already issued its opinion," states Matić's complaint.

Members of the Appeals Commission of the Press Council assessed that these portals continue the campaign targeting Veran Matić with identical texts, which can be characterized as a call for lynching.

Commission member Jelena Petković emphasized that she can only view all these texts as a continuation of a dangerous and serious campaign targeting and endangering the safety of Veran Matić.

"This is terrifying, and institutions should respond to the continuation of this horrific campaign. The prosecutor's office should react, as this almost exceeds the jurisdiction of the Press Council," stated Petković.

Filip Švarm assessed that this is "pure targeting and a call for lynching" and that there can be no discussion of any journalistic work involved, while Milena Vasić added that this is a form of demonization that is very dangerous and could jeopardize an individual's safety.

"The texts contain a threat in the fact that his name and Cenzolovka are associated with the promotion of a 'false state of Kosovo,' which is a threat in itself to anyone," emphasized Jelka Jovanović.

The Commission concluded that these texts violated points 1, 2, and 3 of Chapter I, which state that journalists are obliged to present accurate and verified information, to report impartially, and to provide information in an appropriate context, that they must make a clear distinction between the facts they convey and opinions, assumptions, and speculations, and that the publication of unfounded accusations, defamation, and rumors is incompatible with journalism.

Under Chapter V, point 3 was violated, which states that journalists must respect the principle of not causing harm to the reputation and dignity of individuals and must not participate in spreading falsehoods or in the continuous malicious undermining of the reputations of the people they report on.

Finally, point 3 of Chapter VIII was violated, which stipulates that journalists are obliged to consult as many sources as possible, and none of these media called me to hear the other side of the story or to attempt to verify any of the presented falsehoods.

To recall, the Appeals Commission of the Press Council assessed in February that 25 portals violated the Journalistic Code of Serbia with articles about Veran Matić, the president of the Board of the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM), specifically excerpts from the video piece by the Center for Social Stability that was aired on B92, Prva, Informer, and Documentary TV.