February 16, 2020
The 2019 database of the Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS) recorded 90 cases in which journalists and media workers lodged complaints to the Association regarding attacks, pressure and threats made against them, or such incidents published in the media. The number of physical attacks and pressure applied to media colleagues in 2019 showed a rise over the previous two years.
UNS recorded 54 cases of attacks, pressures and threats against journalists in 2018, while in 2017 it recorded 63 such cases.
The highest increase compared to the previous year was in cases of threats, hate speech and insulting colleagues on social networks, with politicians the predominant aggressors.
The most serious threat to the safety of journalists recorded in the past 12 years – the arson attack on the home of portal Žig info journalist Milan Jovanović – occurred in December 2018. According to UNS, this case has been awaiting its epilogue since April of last year.
