Council of Europe Mission: Media Freedom in Serbia at Its Lowest, New Forms of Intimidation Against Journalists

TV test pattern (Photo:pixabay.com)

Media freedom in Serbia has reached “an historic low," with spyware being used to intimidate journalists and police and relevant institutions failing to offer an adequate response, a Council of Europe fact-finding mission to assess the safety of journalists in Serbia reported on March 27.

Atilla Mong, from the Committee to Protect Journalists, called for justice to be delivered in the case of journalist Slavko Curuvija, killed 27 years ago, and urged an immediate halt to all forms of hostile rhetoric, threats, and intimidation targeting journalists.

“The authorities, and the police in particular, fail to acknowledge the extent to which these things are happening. The police and all other forces must receive clear instructions to protect journalists, not attack them. We would like to see disciplinary cases genuinely pursued and attacks on journalists brought to an end,” Mong said at a press conference held by the memorial plaque marking the site of Curuvija’s murder in Belgrade.

He added that the authorities should “stop using spyware” and investigate all previous allegations of its use, ensure the timely appointment of members of the Council of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media, and guarantee that the role of the public broadcaster’s Ombudsman is both functional and independent, as well as introduce protective mechanisms to shield journalists from SLAPP lawsuits.