EFJ adopts resolution on worsening media freedom and journalist safety in Serbia

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has adopted an emergency resolution highlighting a significant deterioration in media freedom and the safety of journalists in Serbia. The resolution expresses grave concern over escalating attacks, threats, pressure, and institutional failures faced by media workers in the country.

Presented at the EFJ's General Assembly in Ankara by the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS) and the "Nezavisnost" Trade Union of Culture, Arts, and Media, the document details alarming statistics. Since 2024, in collaboration with the SafeJournalists network, 389 violations of media freedom impacting 643 media professionals have been verified and documented on the Mapping Media Freedom platform. These incidents encompass physical assaults, death threats, intimidation, illegal digital surveillance, and smear campaigns. The report also notes instances where police allegedly failed to respond adequately during attacks on journalists or were directly involved in some incidents.

During the resolution's presentation, it was emphasized that these are no longer isolated events but represent a pattern of systemic pressure and impunity in Serbia. Recent attacks on journalists and media crews covering events in Belgrade were cited as examples. The resolution calls on Serbian authorities to promptly, independently, and effectively investigate all attacks, ensure the protection of journalists in the field, and regularly inform the public about the outcomes of these proceedings.

Furthermore, the resolution urges the Serbian government to halt smear campaigns and verbal attacks by public officials against journalists. It also calls for ensuring that state institutions and regulatory bodies are not used as instruments for political or economic pressure on the media. A specific section addresses the European Union, urging it to set tangible progress in media freedom and journalist safety as a prerequisite for Serbia's further advancement in the European integration process. The EFJ also expressed concern over the announced sale of Adria News Network, stressing that media ownership changes must be transparent and accompanied by guarantees of editorial independence and protection of the public interest. NUNS President Željko Bodrožić stated that the numbers speak for themselves, but behind each statistic is a journalist facing pressure or violence, and the EU must insist on real, not just formal, changes.

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The numbers speak for themselves, but behind each statistic is a concrete journalist who is exposed to pressure or violence, and the European Union must insist on real, not formal, changes.