Electronic Media Association: 92 Instances of Targeting of Journalists This Year

Veran Matic (BETAPHOTO/SASA DJORDJEVIC)

There have been 92 reports of targeting of journalists since the beginning of the year, 30 more than last year, Veran Matic, head of the board of directors of the ANEM Association of Independent Electronic Media and a member of a working group for the safety of journalists, said on Oct. 27.

At a conference in Nis discussing the safety of reporters locally, he warned that the "most serious" cases of attacks on journalists were never prosecuted.

"Over the last two years, we almost have a trend of complete impunity for attacks on journalists or media workers," ANEM quoted Matic as saying.

He said violence at public assemblies was "especially concerning," as were "police attacks on journalists."

"This is obviously an area where a political decision was made so that, in addition to protecting thugs, police representatives themselves now intervene against journalists to make reporting difficult," Matic said, adding that the last few months had seen 12 reports to the Interior Ministry's Internal Oversight Service alleging excessive use of force.