Serbian journalists' association demands identification of person issuing threats online

The Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (NUNS) has issued an urgent appeal to authorities to identify an individual posting under the name "Nives" who is issuing menacing threats in online comments. These comments, appearing on the N1 portal, are directed at journalists, including the editor of Forbes Serbia Ivan Radak, NUNS President Željko Bodrožić, and other N1 staff.

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We don't threaten, we will do the job.

One particularly alarming comment, posted below an article about threats to Ivan Radak, stated: "We don't threaten, we will do the job." In another message addressed to Željko Bodrožić, the user wrote: "In case of rebellion and conflict, you will be our favorite toy." Similar aggressive language was used in a message targeting N1 journalists, stating: "Threats, what do you do every day to people who disagree with you, motherf***ers. I live for the day you start a rebellion, so I can legally destroy and eradicate you. You blockade scum."

NUNS has officially reported these threats to the Special Prosecutor's Office for High-Tech Crime. The association considers these messages serious threats and intimidation that authorities must not dismiss as mere "inappropriate internet comments." The phrasing, such as "do the job," "favorite toy," and the announcement of being "destroyed and eradicated," is particularly concerning given the current climate of increasing attacks and threats against journalists in Serbia.

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In case of rebellion and conflict, you will be our favorite toy.

NUNS highlighted the disturbing fact that Ivan Radak was targeted again just hours after NUNS had already reported a previous threat against him to the prosecutor's office. The association argues that the lack of effective response and an atmosphere of impunity embolden further threats. They stressed that when journalists are openly told their threats will be "carried out," that they will become "toys" in potential conflicts, and that someone is waiting for an opportunity to "eradicate" them, institutions have a duty to act before verbal violence turns into physical violence.

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Threats, what do you do every day to people who disagree with you, motherf***ers. I live for the day you start a rebellion, so I can legally destroy and eradicate you. You blockade scum.

The association urged the Special Prosecutor's Office for High-Tech Crime and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to treat the case with utmost seriousness and take all necessary measures. NUNS concluded that "continuous threats against journalists and representatives of journalistic associations must receive a clear and effective institutional reaction."

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The formulations like 'carry out the job', 'favorite toy', as well as the announcement that someone will be 'destroyed and eradicated', in the current atmosphere of increasingly frequent attacks and threats against journalists, require an urgent and thorough reaction from the institutions.