The student protest against the Serbian tabloid Informer ended after six hours in front of the newspaper’s headquarters on Bulevar Peke Dapčevića in Voždovac. Organized by students from the Faculty of Political Sciences (FPN) in response to alleged continuous attacks, targeting, and misinformation, the demonstration, titled “Dezinformer,” lasted from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM and gathered a large crowd.
During the protest, citizens were able to sign a petition against Informer’s operations, with organizers announcing that signature collection would continue in the coming days in front of the Faculty of Political Sciences.
Protest Highlights:
- Closing Remarks: Students thanked their supporters, emphasizing that the coming period is crucial for student blockades and the broader fight for a better society. They warned that what follows should be a cause for concern for those they oppose.
- Symbolic Actions: Protesters brought trash cans labeled “Upadaj” (Jump In) to symbolize what they described as Informer’s “anti-journalistic” work. They also displayed covers of Informer marked with the word “Dezinformer” alongside the Serbian Journalists’ Code of Ethics.
- Musical Critique: Demonstrators dedicated the song “Kako je lepo biti glup” to Informer’s editor, Dragan J. Vučićević, and chanted slogans calling for him to come out and face them.
- Tribute to Victims: A moment of silence lasting 16 minutes was held in memory of those who died in the Novi Sad awning collapse.
- Calls for Media Responsibility: Students criticized Informer for spreading false information, specifically targeting individuals and organizations, and pledged to continue their media-related activism.
- Engagement of the Public: The audience participated in ranking RTS, Informer, and Pink TV in terms of negative influence, with Informer receiving the strongest disapproval.
Government Response:
Serbian Defense Minister Bratislav Gašić condemned the blockade, arguing that justice and democracy cannot be achieved through “illegal and undemocratic means.”
Protester Reactions:
A student speaker remarked, “Informer does not inform, it persecutes. Their headlines are not news; they are fiction.” Another protester, Davud Delimeđac, who was personally targeted by Informer, stated, “It is deeply unsettling to hear lies about yourself, your family, and your colleagues on television.”
Next Steps:
The protest ended with a cleanup action, with students emphasizing they are not “Ćaci” (a reference to uncleanliness). Organizers promised continued action, declaring this protest just the beginning of their “media war.”
