SafeJournalists, EFJ: We urge Vucic to refrain from attacking journalists

The EFJ and the SafeJournalists Network said they express full solidarity with the journalists who have been targeted by President Vucic.

“We urge President Vucic and the authorities to refrain from this blatant pattern of harassing journalists or media outlets for critical reporting and instead ensure respect for the fundamental guarantees of media freedom,” they stressed.

During the press conference held on 11 August, Vucic took the opportunity to point the finger at journalists who reported on the protests, including those of Oslobodjenje from Sarajevo, Jutarnji list, and Dnevno.hr from Zagreb, and N1 and NOVA RS from Belgrade and the magazine Slobodna Bosna, said the EFJ and SafeJournalists.

Criticizing the media coverage, Vucic said: “I understand the live broadcasts in (Kosovo Prime Minister Albin) Kurti’s media. I understand the fascination, delight, and threats, as they say in Oslobodjenje, it says ‘the fight against Vucic’s crimes’, then he says, Slobodna Bosna ‘ it could lead Serbia into a civil war’, then Jutarnji list, then Direktno, Dnevno, also announce civil war in Serbia and hope for it. They say, ‘an autocrat wants to devastate nature to stay in power.’ I understand their enthusiasm, I understand their desire to make things bad for Serbia, I have no problem with that.”

In connection with this, the SafeJournalists Network said that the task of the media is to objectively and critically report on events of public interest, including activities of the government.

“The recent civil protests in Belgrade and other cities are public events, and journalists – reporters from these gatherings must not be targeted or attacked for their reports,” stated the SafeJournalists Network.

EFJ President Maja Sever said the European Federation of Journalists is alarmed by Aleksandar Vucic’s continued attacks on the media.

“This time, by targeting media from neighbouring countries in public discourse, Vucic is not only interfering with the work of Serbian journalists, but also endangering journalists from across the region,” said Sever.

Since the beginning of the year, the Media Freedom Rapid Response database has recorded President Vucic as being responsible for or/and linked to eight cases of verbal abuse against Serbian journalists, says the statement, adding that the EFJ and SafeJournalists Network urge President Vucic to stop silencing critical voices by harassing journalists and to ensure them a safe working environment free from intimidation and political pressure.