EFJ demands full investigation into death threats against Serbian journalist Veran Matic

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has called for a comprehensive investigation into a series of death threats directed at Veran Matic, president of Serbia's Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM).

The EFJ condemned the threats, noting that the attacks on Matic have been documented on its Mapping Media Freedom platform. They have also submitted an alert to the Council of Europe’s platform for the protection of journalism. ANEM recently reported to the Special Prosecutor’s Office for High-Tech Crime that Matic received harassing messages and threats, including forged statements circulated on social media platforms like Facebook, X, and Instagram. These posts reportedly incited calls for his public execution, hanging, or sacrifice.

In response to the escalating threats, Matic has formally requested a security assessment from the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Simultaneously, ANEM is pressing the ministry and the Special Prosecutor’s Office to prioritize the numerous reports filed this year, demanding swift identification and prosecution of the perpetrators.

Support for Matic has also come from local journalist organizations, including the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) and the Journalists’ Association of Serbia (UNS), both of which have condemned the attacks and called for a thorough investigation. The EFJ has joined these domestic appeals, reiterating its demand for decisive action from Serbian authorities regarding the death threats against Matic.