Serbia: Media Freedom and Freedom of Expression in Free Fall, Journalists Under Threat

The findings presented by N1 Serbia paint a grim picture of the state of media freedom and freedom of expression in Serbia, a situation that deeply concerns us as a publication committed to journalistic integrity.

“

It is a free fall, a downward spiral actually of media freedom and freedom of expression in Serbia.

Rade Đurić of the Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia accurately describes the current environment as a "free fall" and a "downward spiral." This is not merely a matter of inconvenience for journalists; it represents a fundamental threat to the public's right to information and a healthy democracy. The ranking at the bottom of the Western Balkans for journalist safety is a stark indicator of the challenges faced by those who dare to report critically.

“

Unfortunately, with a serious crisis in media freedom, freedom of expression in general, with a serious problem, especially in Serbia regarding the safety of journalists and the security of the editorial offices themselves, as well as the economic and financial aspect related to the labor rights of journalists, who work and live in very difficult conditions.

The involvement of police in incidents against journalists is particularly alarming. It suggests a systemic issue where state institutions, meant to protect citizens, are instead perceived as complicit in or perpetrators of intimidation. This erosion of the rule of law, as Đurić notes, creates a "state of captured state," where independent voices are silenced and a "culture of violence" prevails.

“

It is actually 'one reality, a turning point that we all saw and felt in 2025.'

From our perspective, the narrative pushed by pro-government media, often characterized by what Đurić calls a "violent narrative," is not just irresponsible but actively harmful. It demonizes journalists and creates an environment where attacks and threats are normalized. This tactic, often employed when those in power feel cornered, serves to distract from substantive issues and suppress dissent. The situation demands urgent attention and a commitment to upholding the principles of free and independent journalism.

“

The entire system has collapsed, the collapse of the rule of law... The police are the embodiment of all that downfall we have experienced, of everything they have built and what we have heard from the police officers themselves, when most of them, not all, openly turn against journalists, attack, threaten, do not provide help and support to journalists, do not even hesitate to attack journalists, without a shred of sensitivity and feeling for the journalistic profession and the human duty to protect someone, rather than enabling the other side to attack and beat a journalist.