SafeJournalists: We condemn violence in Novi Sad, attacks on N1, Euronews journalists

N1 television journalist Zaklina Tatalovic and cameraman Nikola Popovic were first insulted and hindered in their work during the live broadcast from Freedom Square and Popovic was also physically attacked, it said.

The network explained that they were repeatedly approached by an unidentified man who insulted them, showed them the middle finger and called them swear words, including sexist ones. A little later, a person walked up to Popovic and hit him on the hands, as a result of which he dropped the camera, which was damaged on that occasion.

A little later, another incident took place in front of the premises of the city committee of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) on Oslobodjenje Boulevard, when Euronews cameraman Mirko Todorovic was hit and knocked to the ground, said the network.

The press release said that, after President Aleksandar Vucic gathered his supporters in front of the SNS offices to address them, reporters came to report, but the gathered citizens did not allow them to do so. When Vučić left, a scuffle broke out between SNS supporters and protest participants, and then one person kicked a Euronews cameraman and knocked him to the ground.

“After President Aleksandar Vucic gathered his supporters in front of the SNS premises to address them, reporters came to report, but the gathered citizens did not allow them to do so. When Vucic left, a scuffle broke out between SNS supporters and protest participants, and then one person kicked a Euronews cameraman and knocked him to the ground,” said the press release.

“A large number of police officers, both in uniforms for breaking up demonstrations and in civilian clothes, were present in the center of Novi Sad, which was seen in live broadcasts, but no one reacted to the attack on the N1 television crew. Also, there was no police reaction to the attack on the Euronews team. Both attacks were subsequently reported to the competent institutions,” it added.

The network said that the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) strongly condemns the violence that happened in Novi Sad, especially the attacks on journalists.

The SafeJournalists Network, which represents media professionals in the Western Balkans, joins its member IJAS and condemns the behavior of the police who did nothing to prevent the violence or arrest the perpetrators, and it is clear that there were police on the streets of Novi Sad. We believe that those who ordered the police to observe the events silently are responsible for the violence that happened last night in Novi Sad.

The network demands that the institutions identify and process the perpetrators and determine the responsibility of the police for the events of last night. We invite journalists to report all cases of threats and harassment while reporting on yesterday’s events.

The SafeJournalists Network will inform relevant national and international actors about this case.

Every attack on journalists is an attack on the public interest, democracy, and the rights of all citizens.