Report reveals increasing threats to journalism and democracy in Turkey and the Western Balkans
New research by SEENPM and partners documents a rise in attacks on journalists, and a decline in public trust in the media due to political influence over editorial policies.
Serbia: Targeting of press and civil society organisations must stop
Recent weeks have seen journalists receive death threats, and several police raids on CSOs that work on human rights and access to information.
Serbia: Court must free Belarusian journalist and prevent his deportation
Andrey Gniot has been in custody in Serbia since October, when he was arrested on dubious charges formulated by the Lukashenka regime. The High Court of Belgrade is deliberating upon whether to deport him to Belarus.
Serbia: Increase in threats and attacks on journalists in Novi Sad
The escalation of threats and violence suffered by journalists in Novi Sad has reached an unprecedented level in the past fortnight, with no fewer than seven journalists being targeted.
Report: “Toxic Narratives: Silencing Expression in the Western Balkans”
PEN International, in collaboration with various Balkan PEN centres, publishes a report examining the many challenges faced by independent writers and journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia.
Staff of Serbian newspaper ‘Danas’ threatened with Charlie Hebdo-style attack
On 6 November an unknown individual sent an email with the subject line “Charlie Hebdo of Belgrade” to the editor-in-chief of ‘Danas’, threatening staff with “barrages of bullets” because of its editorial policy. The email named specific journalists as “enemies of the Serbian people” and “traitors”.
Serbia: Retrial reaffirms convictions of those who murdered journalist Slavko Ćuruvija in 1999
On 2 December 2021, four former officials of the Serbian state security services were handed a total of 100 years in prison for the murder of investigative reporter Ćuruvija.
Serbia: Former mayor jailed for 2018 arson attack on journalist’s home
A court sentenced Dragoljub Simonovic, the former mayor of Grocka and a member of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, to four years and three months in jail after finding him guilty of ordering a Molotov cocktail attack on Milan Jovanović’s home.
Serbian police arrest three journalists reporting on COVID-19 issues
“We urge the government of Serbia to ensure that journalists are able to go about their work without fear of arrest. Accurate and updated reporting from journalists will be an essential ally of governments in tackling the pandemic.”
Serbia: Four sentenced to 100 years in jail for 1999 murder of journalist Slavko Curuvija
Curuvija, who was gunned down by secret police officers during the 1999 NATO bombing campaign against Serbia, had previously been attacked by media allies of Slobodan Milosevic. The man who pulled the trigger was not among the convicted.
Serbia: Editor Milan Jovanović’s house was firebombed
Unidentified individuals threw a molotov cocktail through the journalist’s window in the early hours of 12 December, then fired shots to prevent his family fleeing the burning house.
Brief disappearance of journalist Stefan Cvetkovic must be investigated
Corruption reporter Cvetkovic went missing on 13 June, prompting a massive police search operation; on 15 June, the President of Serbia announced that the journalist was alive and undergoing police questioning.
Serbian journalist jailed for defaming party officials
Journalist Stefan Cvetkovic is a well-known critic of the local authorities, against whom he filed a complaint of misuse of public funds in 2014, and recently raised questions about the role of the three officials in various criminal matters.
Serbia: Condemnation of radio journalist’s murder
RSF condemns local radio journalist Luka Popov’s murder in northern Serbia and calls on the authorities to do everything possible to bring those responsible to justice.