The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) called on the Serbian authorities to ensure the safety of journalists covering the parliamentary elections, following several election-day incidents where journalists faced interference while reporting, and some were even injured.
Oglas
Whilst long queues formed at polling stations across Serbia on Sunday, the EFJ and its Serbian affiliates began to report the first incidents targeting journalists covering the parliamentary elections.
Whilst voting was still under way, the EFJ and its affiliates reported several incidents targeting journalists.
According to the EFJ, journalists Mihailo Stojkovic and Jelena Stojkovic faced violent obstruction and were injured at a polling station in the village of Pavlovac.
Epicentar Press journalists were prevented from filming at a polling station in Cacak, while journalist Ivana Predic was prevented from reporting at a polling station in Pancevo.
The EFJ also highlighted the case of Antoni Kovacevic, the editor of the Chicago-based Serbian Times, who was not allowed to film at the polling station in the Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in Chicago.
“After three months of being in contact with the Consulate General of Serbia in Chicago, no one ever told me that accreditation would be required to report on the election process. I came there and they did not allow me to enter, with the explanation that I was not accredited,” the EFJ quoted Kovacevic as saying.
The statement also cited the case of Croatian outlet Telegram journalists Denis Mahmutovic and Marko Miscevic, who were denied entry to Serbia under the alleged pretext of “security threat.”
“Europe is watching Serbia”
EFJ General Secretary Ricardo Gutierrez said that “the multiple cases of obstruction documented since this morning highlight once again the persistent spiral of violence targeting independent media outlets and journalists in Serbia.”
He added that the EFJ stands in full solidarity with the journalists reporting from the ground and strongly encourages them to report any incidents.
According to Gutierrez, major attacks will be published on Mapping Media Freedom and submitted to the Council of Europe Platform to protect journalists. He noted that key findings will also be shared with relevant international actors by the Media Freedom Rapid Response to request a timely response and ensure accountability.
“Europe is watching Serbia. The climate of impunity that has been entrenched for too long must end now. Media freedom is a cornerstone of democratic elections and must be treated as such,” Gutierrez said.
Teme