In Serbia, a ‘witch-hunt’ for journalists who don’t toe government line
“A real epidemic of attacks.” That’s the way Serbian journalist, advocate, and professor Dinko Gruhonjić characterized the state of press freedom in his country in a recent op-ed for the media-focused news site Cenzolovka. Gruhonjić faced severe online harassment after a doctored video in which he appears to praise a war criminal was circulated online…
Serbian ex-mayor jailed for 4 years in arson attack on journalist Milan Jovanović
Berlin, April 29, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the four-year jail sentence given to Dragoljub Simonović, the former mayor of Grocka, a suburb of the Serbian capital, Belgrade, for ordering an arson attack on journalist Milan Jovanović’s home. The court also gave a four-year sentence to Aleksandar Marinković, who set fire to the house…
CPJ condemns acquittal of those involved in the 1999 murder of journalist Slavko Ćuruvija
New York, February 2, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned a Serbian court of appeals decision announced on Friday to acquit those involved in the 1999 murder of journalist Slavko Ćuruvija and called on Serbian authorities to continue taking steps to bring the killers to justice. “The acquittal of the former members of the Serbian…
Serbian reporter Marko Dragoslavić punched after Belgrade protest
Berlin, March 13, 2023 – Serbian authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate the recent attack on reporter Marko Dragoslavić, hold the perpetrator to account, and ensure that journalists can cover protests safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On March 7, an unidentified man punched Dragoslavić, a reporter for the privately owned news agency…
Staff of Serbian newspaper Danas gets email threatening Charlie Hebdo attack
Berlin, November 9, 2022—Serbian authorities should conduct a quick and thorough investigation into the threats made against staff at the privately owned Danas daily newspaper, bring the perpetrators to justice, and ensure the journalists’ safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On Sunday, November 6, an unknown individual from an email address with the…
Bulgarian TV crew attacked with stones while investigating pollution at Serbian mine
Berlin, June 21, 2022 – Serbian authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate the recent attack on a TV crew for the Bulgarian public broadcaster BNT, and ensure that reporters covering environmental issues can work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On June 14, a group of six or seven men in the Serbian…
Serbian journalists charged over coverage of environmental protest
Berlin, May 9, 2022 – Serbian authorities should drop all criminal charges against journalists Sava Majstorov and Sara Mikić, and ensure that members of the press do not face legal retaliation over their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On April 12, authorities charged Mikić and Majstorov, reporters with the local news website…
Serbian journalist Dinko Gruhonjić receives death threats online
Berlin, May 3, 2022 — Serbian authorities should conduct a swift and thorough investigation into threats made to journalist Dinko Gruhonjić and his family, and ensure their safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On April 25, a Facebook user named “Ante Pavlovic” sent a number of threatening messages to Gruhonjić, deputy editor-in-chief of…
Serbian broadcaster N1TV and newspaper Danas receive death threats
Berlin, April 25, 2022 – Serbian authorities should conduct swift and thorough investigations into death threats made to employees of the broadcaster N1TV and newspaper Danas, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On April 18, the independent broadcaster N1TV received an anonymous email threatening that the outlet’s employees…
Serbian journalist Miljko Stojanovic threatened over interview with Ukrainian refugee
Berlin, March 29, 2022 — Serbian authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate threats made to journalist Miljko Stojanovic and ensure his safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On March 8, Stojanovic, a reporter for the Serbian daily Danas based in the eastern town of Zaječar, published an article profiling a Ukrainian refugee who…