As the noose tightens around Serbia’s journalists, the European Union can no longer look away
Serbian journalism is being systematically repressed yet European political leaders remain locked in a state of guilty inaction. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) urges the European Parliament to ensure the European Commission assumes its responsibilities in the face of Serbia’s serious violations of press freedom, a principle that must be respected for the Balkan nation to join the European Union (EU).
Serbian authorities are still struggling under the weight of the mass protests triggered by the deadly collapse of the Novi Sad train station five months ago, and in response, they are tightening their grip on independent outlets and those who criticise the government. Since 1 November, journalists have faced assaults, threats, political and judicial pressure, and arbitrary surveillance. Press freedom, a key condition for Serbia’s EU candidacy, is being trampled without sparking any indignation from European institutions: after meeting with President Vučić, the president of the EU Commission merely made a lukewarm remark about the need for "steps" to protect press freedom, while Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos only briefly mentioned "independent media" without addressing the serious violations occurring in Serbia.
"Serbian outlets are on the brink of suffocation as their security and independence are continuously undermined by those in power. EU member states and institutions cannot remain passive in the face of these systematic violations of the right to reliable information. RSF urges the European Parliament to demand that the Commission firmly condemn the damage Serbian authorities have inflicted on press freedom, which is a sine qua non condition for the country's accession to the EU.
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Death threats and assaults
Independent journalists are being physically attacked — 14 cases have been registered so far — and threatened. On 25 March, the car of journalist Rijalda Mujezinovic, who has publicly criticised the regime, was severely vandalised outside her family home. Two days earlier, Sasa Dragojlo, a journalist for the investigative outlet BIRN, was assaulted by supporters of President Aleksandar Vučić’s party in front of the police. On 15 February, members of the same party issued death threats against N1 journalist Ksenija Pavkov as she was reporting. Journalists Dinko Grunhojic and Ana Lalic Hegedis have been receiving death threats for over a year, which have been encouraged by ruling party politicians.
- Political pressure
Authorities are using all means to stifle the free press. Foreign journalists have been expelled, including the team from Croatian television channel RTL and Croatian freelance journalist Iva Anzulović, who was denied entry as she was considered a "security risk." The biggest independent channel, N1, has been blocked with the help of ruling party members and the fact-checking site Istinomer was raided by police. President Vučić himself exerts constant pressure on the traditionally government-aligned public broadcaster RTS.
- Undue use of spyware
On 14 February 2025, two journalists from BIRN were targeted in an attempted spyware attack via Pegasus, a surveillance tool only sold to governments. Last November, an Amnesty International report revealed the police forces were using Cellebrite spyware for mass surveillance, with at least one journalist targeted.
Serbia ranks 98th out of 180 countries and territories in the RSF 2024 World Press Freedom Index.
Aller plus loin
