Pavol Salaj, director of the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) office in Prague, sent a strong message to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, following Vučić’s accusations that journalists provoke violence during protests.
Salaj responded to a statement from the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) about efforts to provide protective equipment for journalists reporting from demonstrations.
“The first message is that the truth will come out regarding who commits violence against whom. We have recorded 89 physical attacks on journalists reporting from protests since November 1, 2024. This is a record number. I am confident that justice will eventually be served in all these cases, which were not provoked by journalists but by police and pro-government activists,” Salaj stated.
He added that RSF is proud to support NUNS in distributing protective equipment and providing financial and technical assistance to ensure Serbian journalists can work more safely.
“Finally, I call on the international community to mobilize in order to ensure justice for crimes committed against journalists and to allow them to report safely from protests. Financial, diplomatic, and political support from democratic forces worldwide is essential to support Serbian journalists,” Salaj emphasized.
RSF’s report highlights that, as of November 1, 2024, Serbian media professionals were victims of at least 89 physical attacks, with the total for 2025 reaching 82 cases—the highest annual number since 2008. About half of these incidents were committed by police, while pro-government activists carried out much of the remaining violence, often with police turning a blind eye.
“We pay tribute to Serbian journalists who heroically report on protests despite institutionalized violence by the regime of President Aleksandar Vučić. We call on the international community to provide financial, legal, and political support so journalists can work safely and their attackers face justice. Press freedom in Serbia is at stake, as is the public’s right to be informed about events in a country seeking EU membership,” Salaj concluded.
