World Press Freedom Day: A war is being waged against journalists in Serbia similar to the period from 1998 to 2000.

The drop of eight places compared to last year, the worst ranking in the region, and Europe’s bottom tier are a real illustration of what we, as professional media, journalists, and media workers, experience daily, with a justified fear that the situation regarding freedom of expression in Serbia will worsen.

A significant number of incidents and physical attacks in which journalists have been constant targets of parapolice and police have resulted in a substantial increase in the number of cases in the prosecutor's offices and a symbolic number of convictions. In two years, there have been over 200 cases initiated, with only five convictions for threats and violence against journalists.

The impoverishment of genuine professional media has continued with the assistance of the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications, which, through its influence on the formation of commissions, diligently strives to direct budgetary funds for project co-financing exclusively toward pro-government media and government-organized non-governmental organizations (GONGOs).

Serbia has not had a REM Council for a year and a half, meaning there is no one to implement the Law on Electronic Media, resulting in impunity for hate speech and chaos in the airwaves.

The government consistently ignores the application of the Law on Public Media Services, which was adopted in mid-last year.

The Minister of Information and Telecommunications only speaks out when there is a need to further attack and criticize genuine professional media, which are under constant assault from state and parliamentary leaders.

All of this contributes to the affirmation of impunity for crimes against journalists in Serbia, culminating in the decision of the Appeals Court regarding the murder of Slavko Ćuruvija, which, in the opinion of the Supreme Court, is the result of illegal actions by the second-instance court panel.

Unfortunately, the political climate is very similar to that of the period from 1998 to 2000, when politicians waged a war against the media, including the then Minister of Information and current President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić. Such a war against journalists is still being waged today in Serbia, and according to the results from Reporters Without Borders, the behavior of ruling politicians towards journalists and media, if measured solely on that basis, would place Serbia at 151st out of 180 countries in terms of press freedom.

In such an environment, journalists and media workers are marking the International Day for the Freedom of the Press.

We remain faithful to the principles of professional journalism that respect laws and codes, with a strong resolve that all 43 members of ANEM, as well as other independent and professional media, not only survive in complex circumstances but will also continue to strengthen and expand their influence daily despite all obstacles, obstructions, threats, and attacks.

Veran Matić

President of the Management Board of the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)