Teodora Šulj (Zoomer): There is no one to protect journalists.

The protests in Belgrade during the summer of 2024 were marked by tensions, frequent clashes with the police, and numerous incidents. In such an environment, journalists reporting from the streets faced not only physical and logistical obstacles but also direct attacks from those who were supposed to ensure public order and safety. Among them was journalist Teodora Šulj from the ZOOMER portal, who found herself targeted by members of the Gendarmerie on the night of August 13 in downtown Belgrade.

Clearly marked with a yellow PRESS vest and a press accreditation, Teodora approached to document the moment when the police brutally detained a protester on King Milan Street. Despite her clear identification and repeated statements that she was a journalist, a police officer approached her aggressively, asked, "What are you filming?" and struck her on the arm and phone in an attempt to prevent her from recording the arrest. This moment sent a clear message that even journalists, working in the public interest and in accordance with the law, are not protected by public order and safety authorities.

“VREME”: Can you describe exactly what happened that day?

TEODORA ŠULJ: I was reporting from the protests in Belgrade on August 13 and was following a group of protesters in the city center. I remember that I was constantly in contact with my editor and two colleagues who were also on the ground, and that only in downtown Belgrade at that time was there no conflict between the police and the protesters. Around 11 PM, the first police charges against the protesters began. During the second or third wave of police in King Milan Street, the police started beating a man with batons and threw him to the ground. Reporter Ana Milosavljević from "Mašina" and I began to approach the police and the man on the ground to film what was happening. When a member of the Gendarmerie approached us, I repeated several times that I was a journalist, and he responded in a rude tone, "What are you filming?" He struck me on the arm and phone. I was already very shaken as this was the first time I had seen police violence up close. However, I knew I had the right to film. After he hit my arm, I anxiously asked him, "Why are you hitting me?" He had no answer and quickly moved away from me and my colleague.

Did you clearly show at that moment that you were a journalist?

Yes – I was wearing a yellow PRESS vest, which I have not gone without at protests for the past few months. Additionally, I had my ZOOMER press accreditation hanging around my neck, which displayed my full name. I also repeatedly stated loudly that I was a journalist, but the police officer did not stop at any point.

How did the police react when they realized you were a journalist?

I am not sure if the police officer approached me knowing or not knowing that I was a journalist. I was wearing a clearly marked vest, had identification, and had repeatedly stated that I was a journalist. What he saw as a problem was that I was filming the arrest and the prior beating of the man.

How did your editorial team and colleagues react after the incident, and were there any responses from journalistic associations and international organizations?

My editor reported to NUNS what had happened that same evening. That night, a colleague from ZOOMER who was reporting from the protests in Novi Sad was also attacked. When I sent them the footage, members of the editorial team and my editor advised me to be careful and to remove myself from the streets if I did not feel ready to continue reporting. The next day, NUNS issued a statement condemning the attacks on my colleague and me among others.

What does such a case say about the safety of journalists in Serbia?

The most terrifying realization for me is that journalists are completely unprotected – both from the system and from the law enforcement agencies that are supposed to enable us to perform our jobs without hindrance. However, they themselves obstruct us in our work. They even attack us for what we do – at least those of us who carry out journalistic work independently and with integrity in the public interest. Therefore, in my opinion, we should receive proportional protection – that journalists should officially be granted the status of public officials. Thus, I believe that legal reform is necessary, as it may be the only way to protect us from potential attacks.

Source: Vreme