Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) has filed a criminal complaint against unknown individuals identifying as students, who have been blocking RTS buildings since April 14, 2025. According to RTS, the blockade has disrupted access for journalists and staff, interfering with the broadcaster’s ability to air its regular programming.
“Employees are endangered in these violent blockades, with police escorting them into the building as they are being insulted, spat on, and shoved,” RTS stated.
RTS also reported that personal phone numbers of three editors were published on social media, and that “wanted posters” targeting certain journalists and editors have been circulated—actions which the broadcaster says pose a direct threat to their safety and lives.
The public broadcaster is demanding the identification and prosecution of everyone involved and has called for international intervention.
“RTS has requested urgent reactions from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, OSCE representatives in Serbia, the Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, ODIHR, as well as international journalist protection organizations and the European Broadcasting Union,” the statement reads.
Entrances to the RTS building in Takovska Street, Belgrade, have now been blocked for three consecutive days, as of April 17.
Background:
The blockade began on April 14, when students from Belgrade and Novi Sad launched a coordinated protest against RTS and RTV, accusing them of biased reporting on ongoing student demonstrations.
During the blockade, RTS has adjusted its programming schedule, and the editorial board has repeatedly called for the protest to end.
This is not the first such protest—on March 10, students also unexpectedly blocked the entrances to public broadcasters in demand for objective coverage.
The students have been protesting for months, demanding accountability for the collapse of the concrete roof at Novi Sad Railway Station on November 1, which resulted in 16 fatalities.
