Journalists' Association Records 24 Incidents Targeting Journalists, Media Workers in September

Media, journalists (BETAPHOTO/NEVENA ZARIC)

The Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia announced on Oct. 16 that it recorded 24 incidents in September where journalists and media workers were the targets, including five physical attacks on journalists, four attacks on media outlets and media organizations, and 12 death threats and endangerment of physical safety.

The Association's monthly report states that three other threats to journalists were also recorded, and that physical attacks, obstruction of work and intimidation were particularly pronounced during reporting from election activities ahead of the snap general election that will be held on Oct. 25.

September also saw cyberattacks on media outlets and social media accounts, the Association said.

The report also deals with events related to ownership changes in media outlets, pressure on the staff of the Nova.rs news website, and the work of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media, including disagreement over expanding the list of televisions covered by election campaign monitoring.

The Association said that attacks on, threats to and obstruction of the work of journalists during reporting from rallies of public interest are a continuation of the concerning trend that seriously jeopardizes the safety of journalists and makes their work in the field more difficult.