Serbian portal fined for reporting politician's statement

Portal 021 has been ordered to pay 70,000 Serbian dinars (approximately $640) in damages to Nemanja Šarović for reporting a statement by Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić. The court ruled that Brnabić's words, which referred to Šarović as a "Đilas's mercenary," harmed his honor and reputation.

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If the plaintiff's position were accepted, it would mean that no media outlet would ever have to publish anyone's statement because it would automatically mean the media outlet places full trust in that statement and could be held responsible for it.

Portal 021, which faces several similar lawsuits, argued that media outlets should not be held responsible for third-party statements. Their lawyers contended that reporting Brnabić's words, which were taken from a Radio-Television of Serbia (RTS) article, did not imply the media outlet endorsed the statement. They emphasized that the text was accurately quoted and attributed to Brnabić.

The court, however, found that the information violated Šarović's dignity. Despite acknowledging that public figures must tolerate a higher degree of media criticism, the judge ruled that Portal 021 did not exercise due journalistic care. The outlet also has to pay 85,000 dinars for court costs.

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public figures, which the plaintiff (Šarović) undoubtedly is, unlike private individuals, must tolerate an increased level of criticism in the media

Brnabić's statement was made in reaction to earlier disturbances in the Serbian Parliament. The RTS article, which Portal 021 fully republished, was titled "Brnabić: Opposition wants civil war, incident in Parliament was announced in advance." Portal 021 is awaiting further lawsuits over its reporting of testimonies during protests last year.

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the statement by Ana Brnabić was conveyed in its entirety and credibly