Serbian media group demands action over journalist's death threat

The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) has called on Serbian authorities to take immediate action following a "monstrous" death threat sent to N1 television journalist Danica Vučičić. The chilling message, which arrived in a letter from Maribor, Slovenia, stated, "We will kill your loved ones, you mare."

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We will kill your loved ones, you mare.

ANEM condemned the threat as an unacceptable form of intimidation in a democratic society. The organization demanded that the police and prosecution identify, prosecute, and protect Vučičić. They highlighted that this is not the first time the journalist has faced threats, noting that recent intimidation often follows targeting campaigns in pro-government media, sometimes involving the president himself.

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This form of intimidation and monstrous threats is unacceptable in a democratic society and must not go unpunished.

Veran Matić, president of ANEM's managing board and a member of the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists, emphasized Vučičić's long history of facing threats. He recalled previous instances where similar threats led to investigations and swift verdicts, expressing expectation for the same outcome this time. Matić described Vučičić as an icon of independent journalism in Serbia, known for her courage. He also framed the current situation as a critical moment for N1, with challenges related to management changes and a potential sale, asserting that the station's journalists and editors are defending journalistic, professional, and democratic values.

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We expect that this will be the case this time as well.