Serbia / Europe & Central Asia

  
Multiple journalists were attacked at demonstrations linked to the deadly 2024 Novi Sad railway station collapse, seen here. The collapse sparked nationwide protests that have since grown into a broader movement against corruption and President Aleksandar Vučić’s increasingly authoritarian rule.

Protesters attack several journalists in Serbia 

Berlin, November 10, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Serbian authorities to urgently investigate three incidents in which journalists were attacked or intimidated by what appeared to be pro-government supporters near the National Assembly in Belgrade.  On November 3, four men, three of them masked, assaulted private news agency FoNet reporter Marko Čonjagić around 11 p.m. as he covered a rally linked to the…

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Serbians protest what they say is an increasing police brutality, in Novi Sad in September.

Serbia police target journalists as anti-government protests escalate

Berlin, September 25, 2025—Serbian journalists have increasingly reported being deliberately targeted by police, especially when covering police violence, as President Aleksandar Vučić’s authoritarian government toughens its stance against anti-government protests that began 10 months ago with a deadly railway station collapse. Journalists caught up in the unrest report that police not only fail to protect them from protesters but also deliberately harass, beat,…

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Serbian protest

Alarming escalation in attacks on journalists amid political crisis in Serbia

Berlin, June 3, 2025—What journalists called a “witch hunt” atmosphere against government critics in Serbia one year ago has since escalated into a rise in attacks and threats against the press, following a deadly railway station collapse in November 2024 that triggered a widespread anti-corruption movement. Initial protests demanding accountability for the tragedy have turned…

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Serbian members of parliament Marinika Tepic and Borislav Novakovic, and other opposition representatives scuffle with police officers during a protest over the fatal collapse of a roof at a railway station, demanding that those responsible for the disaster be brought to justice, in front of a court house in Novi Sad, Serbia, November 21, 2024. REUTERS/Marko Djurica TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2I9BAWRSBX

N1 TV, Nova journalists attacked while covering Serbian demonstrations

Berlin, December 4, 2024 — The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Serbian authorities to take immediate and effective steps to ensure the safety of journalists covering demonstrations after recent  physical attacks on journalists.  “We welcome Serbian authorities’ quick response to recent physical attacks on reporters covering protests and call on them to swiftly bring…

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Serbian Progressive Party billboard

Serbia politician physically attacks journalist Miloš Ljiljanić during municipal assembly meeting

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…

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Masked protesters attack N1 TV, Euronews camera operators, damage camera in Serbia

Berlin, November 7, 2024—Serbian authorities must swiftly and thoroughly investigate the November 5 attacks by masked individuals on a journalist and two camera operators working for N1 TV and Euronews as they were covering a demonstration in Novi Sad. “Serbian authorities must bring all those responsible for the attack on a journalist and camera operators…

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Aleksandar Šapić

Belgrade mayor calls N1 TV journalists ‘manipulators,’ reports ‘fake’

New York, October 30, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Serbian authorities to condemn the recent verbal attacks against journalists from private independent TV station N1 and other outlets by Belgrade Mayor Aleksandar Šapić and ensure journalists can safely carry out their work without fear of intimidation or reprisal. “We are deeply concerned by…

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Death threat sent to Serbian news agency Tanjug over Kosovo reporting

New York, October 2, 2024 — The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Serbian authorities to swiftly complete their investigation into a death threat emailed to journalists at the privately owned news agency Tanjug over its reporting on Kosovo, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Authorities said they suspect the threat came from Albania….

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Andrey Gnyot

Serbia court rules to extradite journalist Andrey Gnyot to Belarus

Update: A Serbian appeals court announced on September 11 that it has sent the extradition case of Belarusian filmmaker Andrey Gnyot for a third review to the Belgrade Higher Court. Gnyot told CPJ on September 12 that he expects the next hearing “will not happen earlier than a month,” saying that “the most dangerous thing” about the…

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The moment journalist Uglješa Bokić’s attacker tried to snatch his mobile phone as he was covering election day skirmishes between ruling party and opposition supporters on June 2, 2024. (Screenshot: Uglješa Bokić/Danas)

Journalists harassed, obstructed, attacked in Serbia’s election period

Berlin, June 12, 2023 — Serbian authorities should conduct a swift and thorough investigation into recent attacks against journalists covering elections, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Wednesday. On June 9, Serbia’s ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) won a vote for Belgrade city council and in partial local elections nationwide,…

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