Media organizations held a protest today in front of the Serbian Presidency building in solidarity with journalists who were attacked while reporting on last Sunday’s local elections. Earlier, a large crowd had gathered in Pionirski Park, in the so-called Ćacilend area, reportedly larger than usual, according to Danas reporters.
Journalists and media workers blocked Ulica Kralja Milana near the General Secretariat of the President, protesting the attacks on journalists during elections held on March 29 in ten municipalities across Serbia. Traffic was stopped at the intersection with Ulica Kneza Miloša, from Terazije to Kralja Milana.
The protest was organized to highlight frequent assaults on journalists, particularly following the March 29 local elections, when several journalists were physically attacked while covering events. Participants carried banners reading “Our Protest” and “Stop Brutal Attacks on Journalists” and were joined by Democratic Party leader Srđan Milivojević, Green-Left Front MP Robert Kozma, and engineer Zoran Đajić.
Jovana Gligorijević addressed the crowd, referencing journalists who had been beaten during election reporting, including photojournalist Zorica Popović, and others assaulted in Timok.
“Here we are to finally address the President. Aleksandar Vučić, come out, see and face the journalists whose lives you think you can control. Come out and hear what it feels like when you are asked the right questions. We are here to tell the truth, we are not afraid of facts, and we live for freedom of speech,” Gligorijević said.
She added that journalists and citizens gathered to be seen and heard by a leader “who fears the truth, hates facts, and stands opposed to what real journalism represents.” She also emphasized limiting access to unprofessional media outlets and providing statements only to professional outlets.
Marko Živković, editor of Revolt, described the fear and danger journalists faced on election day, recalling how he worried for the safety of colleagues Ivan and Lazar while reporting in Kula. Both were attacked despite reporting on irregularities and police inaction. Živković stated that the identities of the assailants are known, though authorities have yet to act.
He also condemned the threats journalists receive and stressed that police and prosecutors should protect citizens rather than target journalists or universities.
Cartoonist and NUNS vice-president Marko Somborac noted that attacks and attempted murders of journalists have become routine, often carried out by convicted criminals under police supervision or even participation.
Nemanja Marinović, journalist and executive editor of Zoomer, highlighted that the protest was not just another condemnation of attacks but a statement of resilience: “We will not step back; we will continue reporting. Evidence exists, and we are not afraid to show it.”
Veran Matić, chairman of the Board of the Association of Independent Electronic Media, said the violence stems “from the top of power,” citing daily aggressive messages from President Vučić and Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić.
The protest, titled “Solidarity Today, Survival Tomorrow,” aimed to draw attention to the increasingly dangerous conditions journalists face. Participating organizations included the Association of Media, Association of Independent Electronic Media, Online Media Association, Cultural, Arts, and Media Union “Independence,” Independent Journalists’ Association of Vojvodina, Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia, Local and Independent Media Association “Lokal Pres,” Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation, and Journalists’ Association of Serbia.
Rada Đurić, lawyer for the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia, stressed the state’s responsibility to ensure journalists’ safety and condemned the almost total impunity for attackers, noting over 100 attacks and physical threats since the start of the year.
“Ćacilend is filling up as a reaction to citizen dissatisfaction and the UKP’s intrusion into the University,” Đurić added, highlighting the broader civic support for journalists’ safety and accountability.
