The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) has strongly condemned the reporting by Informer and the Republika portal following a tragic incident at the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Philosophy, in which a student lost her life. The association urged all media outlets and journalists to uphold professional and ethical standards in their coverage.
NUNS criticized the use of sensationalist headlines, photographs, and videos from the scene, emphasizing that such reporting violates the dignity of the victim, the privacy of her family, and can cause distress to the public.
The statement highlighted that professional and ethical journalistic duties require careful, sensitive, and compassionate reporting on tragic events. “The Serbian Journalists’ Code clearly states that journalists must respect the dignity, reputation, and privacy of the people they report on, avoid sensationalism, and refrain from publishing content that could cause unnecessary suffering to families, close ones, or the public,” NUNS noted.
The association expressed particular concern over the political instrumentalization of the tragedy by Informer and other pro-government outlets, which allegedly accused individuals and social groups without basis and used the student’s death for political purposes. NUNS called this practice a serious misuse of media space, contrary to fundamental journalistic principles such as fact-checking, avoiding unfounded accusations, and distinguishing between information and propaganda.
NUNS reminded media that the Law on Public Information and Media obliges outlets to publish information truthfully, timely, completely, and responsibly, while respecting personal dignity and privacy—especially in cases involving death, accidents, or human suffering. The right of the public to information cannot justify ethical violations or further traumatizing a grieving family.
The association urged media to refrain from publishing distressing content, unverified claims, or politically motivated interpretations, and to prioritize compassion for the bereaved family. “Empathy with the family that has lost a loved one must be the guiding principle for journalists reporting on tragic events. Professional responsibility, ethics, and humanity must not be sacrificed for clicks, political interests, or sensationalism,” NUNS stated.
