Threats against Serbian Journalists 'Unacceptable', Says IFJ

Today the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its European group the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) expressed deep concern about serious threats against Serbian journalists working for B92 broadcaster and other independent media.

"At the moment when Serbia is seriously considering its application for EU accession, it is unacceptable that there are still journalists working in fear of physical attacks just because they carry out their duty," said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White.

The IFJ says recent attacks on B92 and threats to the editors of the broadcaster's  Insider investigative journalism show have escalated even after Serbian President Boris Tadi? stated he would not tolerate violence by hooligans and criminals.

The IFJ and its members, the Journalists' Association of Serbia and the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia welcomed President Tadi?'s undertaking to  take all the measures necessary to protect journalists in accordance with the law and to arrest and prosecute anyone threatening other people's lives.

However, despite these public assurances followed by the Minister of Interior Ivica Da?i?'s statement that the police were actively working to identify the persons behind the threats to B92 and the call from the  Minister of Justice Snežana Malovi? for the perpetrators to be tracked down and severely punished, messages on online social networks and graffiti sprayed on Belgrade walls still threaten the editors of the Insider show with rape, slaughter and murder, in particular after a programme featuring leaders of banned football fan groups who escaped Court convictions so far.

"Serbian society and media made a lot of progress towards democracy in the past years, but these threats and attacks still represent a real challenge", said White.

The IFJ believes that B92 is the most exposed media because of its record of independence and in depth investigation even during the terrible years of the Milosevic regime. The IFJ and the EFJ say that if police and justice are able to  identify those behind these threats and attacks against journalist, then concrete action is needed to bring them before justice.

For more information contact the EFJ at +32 2 235 22 15
The EFJ represents over 260,000 journalists in 30 countries.