Berlin, November 12, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Serbian authorities to swiftly complete their investigation into the November 6 physical attack by a local ruling party politician against Miloš Ljiljanić, a journalist with local news site Kovinske Info, while he was documenting a municipal council meeting in the northern town of Kovin.
“Serbian authorities must conduct a transparent and thorough investigation into the attack on journalist Miloš Ljiljanić and ensure those responsible are held accountable,” said Attila Mong, CPJ’s Europe representative. “Public officials have a duty to ensure that journalists can work freely, without fear of intimidation or violence. Attacking or obstructing a journalist for reporting on issues of public interest is unacceptable. Serbian officials must implement concrete measures to guarantee that journalists can work safely, without fear of reprisal.”
While Ljiljanić was live streaming a session of the Kovin Municipal Assembly, Dragan Šljivovački, a councilor from the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, approached Ljiljanić from behind, hit him with his shoulder, pushed him, and attempted to grab his mobile phone, twisting the journalist’s arm in the process.
Ljiljanić reported the incident to the local police, which told Kovinske Info that the case was under priority consideration and that the prosecutor’s office would be informed.
Kovinske Info characterized the assault as an act of intimidation intended to “scare the journalist, to show him who is the boss and what can happen to him.”
In May, CPJ reported that Serbian journalists and press freedom advocates had pointed to a concerning increase in threats and attacks against the media.
CPJ emailed Šljivovački and the press department of the Serbian Ministry of Interior, which oversees the police, for comment but did not receive a reply.