Veran Matić for BUKA: The media are targeted even as terrorists by the leading figures in Serbia.

“Critical reporting should be the foundation. What may be interpreted as taking the side of the weaker or the attacked cannot mean that it is biased reporting. Therefore, while conditions for independent reporting exist, neutrality is practically impossible,” says Matić for BUKA magazine.

What do you see in the current media landscape and situation in Serbia? 

Journalists and media in Serbia have been particularly exposed to threats, harassment, and physical attacks over the past eight months of protests, following the collapse of a canopy in Novi Sad that killed 16 citizens of this city. The media have even been targeted as terrorists by leading figures in the country. There are threats of bans, and relentless campaigns are being waged in pro-government media filled with frightening lies.

Additionally, in the past year and a half, there has been a noticeable trend of some form of obstruction by the police regarding investigations into threats and attacks on journalists.

In instances of attacks on journalists, if the police are present, they do not react preventively or to protect the journalists. Attackers are not identified or prosecuted because they are often bullies recruited to secure events for the ruling party, and it could be said they give orders to police representatives. Moreover, the police have also assaulted journalists and cameramen without any accountability. One colleague, a photographer, was detained in a police car where he was subjected to real torture.

When it comes to international support, it is mostly linked to international professional organizations. However, the response from the European Commission and leading countries in the world is noticeably lacking, even when the authorities are associated with serious false accusations against the media and journalists.

How can journalists be protected in this situation?

It is difficult without clear, strong, and effective international support and assistance. Certainly, solidarity among journalists and media has increased, but it is still not enough. Participants in the protests do not focus part of their activities on the protection of journalists and media. We from various associations collaborate with contact points in the prosecutor's offices and police, but the effectiveness of investigations and prevention is diminishing. We must maintain mutual solidarity to protect those in danger as much as we can, both personally and through media coverage. We need to make repression and results visible immediately and appeal to all international organizations.

What does practice show – how has the prosecutor's office treated attacks on journalists in the past period? 

In terms of threats, the prosecutor's office adheres to the practice that the threat must be direct and realistically achievable. This is why many threats are dismissed. In cases of physical attacks, if they involve minor bodily injuries, the prosecutor's office also dismisses criminal charges, as stipulated by the Criminal Code. However, there is rarely a full effort to gather all relevant evidence to raise charges for violent behavior. Thus, even with clear evidence from a recording showing the director of Srpski Telegraf, Lađević, punching colleague Vuk Cvijić in the face, the prosecutor’s office issues a ruling stating that the act is not prosecuted ex officio. We recently had a similar case with a wrestling maneuver that threw the cameraman of Juronjuz television in Novi Sad to the ground, last year's attack on Uglješa Bokić, etc. A large number of cases remain open and unprosecuted because the prosecutor's office does not receive results from the police investigation it ordered. At the end of last year, out of 62 cases formed in the prosecutor's office, the police did not provide a response for as many as 34, despite several urgencies.

Is there a rule for preserving the integrity of the profession?

Adhering to the journalists' code is something learned when entering journalism, and it should not be deviated from, even under orders. It is better to leave the profession than to violate the code. In preserving integrity, it is crucial to seek help from all those involved in the protection of journalists and professional standards and to make every pressure public.

Are there conditions for neutral, independent reporting in this crisis situation?

The polarization of society in Serbia has been significant for years and is only growing. With the protests, there are also significant daily tensions. Fortunately, we have peaceful demonstrations, but the authorities increasingly intervene against peaceful demonstrators with violence. Each of us must report on that violence. Critical reporting should be the foundation. What may be interpreted as taking the side of the weaker or the attacked cannot mean that it is biased reporting. Therefore, while conditions for independent reporting exist, neutrality is practically impossible. Not because you do not want it, but because the authorities and tabloids, which are their main weapon, will attack you if you are not biased in their favor. This is how the alleged bias of professional reporters and media is spun.

What is the price of objectivity today?

The price can be quite high. Some media outlets have disappeared due to insisting on objectivity, professionalism, and criticality. Very quickly, they run out of sufficient advertisers, and in project co-financing competitions, regardless of the quality of projects, they simply do not receive support. When it comes to international donors, the funds applied for are not sufficient. Some larger donors have withdrawn. Thus, there are media in which journalists work without compensation or with very low salaries. Journalism is underpaid in Serbia. All of this leads to various psychological problems without the conditions to access therapies. In a survey conducted by the OSCE two years ago, about 30 percent of journalists found themselves in situations where they needed immediate psychological assistance, as well as health support for other chronic conditions arising from their work in journalism. In addition to attacks, there are also dismissals of journalists for political reasons.

Do citizens trust the media?

There is a “blind” belief in the propaganda of the authorities through tabloid media. Pink has formed a large audience on fake news, campaigns, and reality shows, and now all of that is being further extreme by Informer with real persecutions that are being carried out in real time.

There is also a high degree of trust in independent media, especially in such sharply defined situations and daily protests that cannot be reported on through public services and tabloid media. However, the strength of those media is incomparably weaker, both technically and financially. Social networks are becoming an increasingly dominant form of information, as is the trend worldwide.

Who are the key actors in changing the overall situation?

In any case, at this moment, students are the greatest force around which citizens are gathering through new forms of activism embodied in Assemblies. The opposition is completely in the background, weakened and divided.

Students have brought hope after a long time that positive social change is possible, that it is feasible to strive for a democratic, prosperous society. A modern society, with education, solidarity, empathy, promoting knowledge, connecting in the region, and making strong steps towards European integration.

Source: 6yka.com