Safety of Journalists group condemns Vucic attack on Matic

“The journalistic part of the SRG is particularly concerned about the increasing number of campaigns from the highest political positions that aim to undermine the work of those who fight for a safer media environment, which significantly increases the risk of threats and violence against journalists in general.

It recalled Vucic’s statement of July 20 that the people convicted because of Matic should have their records expunged and that Matic should make amends. “The journalist section of SRG interprets this statement of the president as intimidation and an attempt to influence the work of Veran Matic, as well as the SRG,” it added.

It warned that Vucic’s statement is a serious threat to Matic’s safety because it comes from the top state official and carries special weight in the public. It could be interpreted as incitement to violence and contributes to the creation of a hostile environment for journalists.

SRG members demand a security assessment for Matic by the Internal Affairs Ministry to determine if there are any current threats to his life, the press release said and recalled that he had a police security detail for 6 years.