SRG in Kula: Support for Local Media During Reporting on Local Elections on March 29

The Chairman of the Board of the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) and member of the SRG, Veran Matić, opened the meeting by presenting data from the records of public prosecutors regarding cases formed for attacks on journalists in the first two months of 2026. During this period, 25 cases were formed, of which five were resolved with a decision from the prosecutor's office stating that there was no criminal offense. The remaining cases are at various stages of investigation. These data indicate that the trend from 2025, which was a record year for the number of threats and attacks on female and male journalists, continues.

Other SRG members, representatives from NDNV, NUNS, and UNS, shared data from their organizations and details about specific cases, primarily pointing out the inefficiency of the relevant institutions in prosecuting violence against journalists. They emphasized that practice has shown that even direct threats against journalists have begun to be dismissed on the grounds that they allegedly do not constitute criminal offenses, with justifications that are unacceptable to the journalistic community.

The experiences of local female and male journalists are very similar. Impunity is pervasive and strongly contributes to the proliferation of threats and violence, increasing the sense of insecurity. Among other things, this is also a result of the conscious avoidance of police to perform their duties instead of providing protection, and often endangering the safety of media workers themselves.

Present journalists informed SRG members that reporting on the election campaign, which is rife with irregularities, has been hindered by a boycott of professional media by the ruling party list, as well as lists that are clones or closely aligned with the authorities. They also sought advice on how to respond in cases when they are attacked or when their work is obstructed.

SRG representatives informed them about the mechanisms for protecting journalists established since the formation of this body, particularly the system of contact points set up in all prosecutor's offices across the country. Additionally, SRG reminded the attending prosecutors of the obligation for urgent action in cases of attacks on journalists in accordance with the Mandatory Instruction of the Supreme Public Prosecutor from 2020.

SRG members informed those present that they will be on duty on March 29 in each of the 10 cities and municipalities where local elections are being held. Their role will be to support journalists, document attacks and threats, and enable effective information exchange with the relevant prosecutors and police.

The meeting was attended by Kristina Demeter Filipčev from Bečej's Mosaic, Tijana Janković and Zoran Đurić from the Webinfo editorial team, Brankica Matić from Storyteller, Marina Džudžar and Jakim Vinai from Ruska Slovo, as well as SRG members Marija Babić from NUNS, Dragana Bjelica from UNS, Veljko Milić from NDNV, Veran Matić from ANEM, and Miroslav Janković from OSCE.

Also present in the role of civil society representatives was Dragana Bazut from Civic Initiatives. Public prosecutors Darko Kulić from the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Vrbas and Ljubica Obradović from the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Sombor, who are also contact points in these prosecutor's offices, participated in the meeting.

Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)

The project "System for the Prevention of Violence and Protection of Journalists" is implemented by ANEM in partnership with Insider TV and the Center for the Development of Local Media, with the support of the European Union.