Pavol Szalai, Head of European Union (EU)/Balkans Desk at Reporters Without Borders (RSF), on Monday called on Belgrade Mayor Aleksandar Sapic to see to it that hate messages against journalists in the Serbian capital are removed, and to apologize for lashing out at N1 journalist Miodrag Sovilj.
Szalai, who is currently paying a visit to Belgrade, expressed solidarity with the victims and families affected by the recent Novi Sad railway station accident in which 14 people lost their lives and three were badly injured.
Journalists had previously sought access to information regarding the contract with the Chinese consortium that had carried out the works at the railway station and were denied, indicating a clear problem with access to information, Szalai told an interview with N1, stressing that the more media freedoms and access to public information there is, the safer the public will be.
Shocked by hate graffiti targeting N1 TV, Nova S TV
Szalai said that, during his visit, he was particularly disturbed by hate messages targeting N1 and Nova S television networks in the vicinity of the Serbian Presidency building. He urged Belgrade Mayor Aleksandar Sapic to have these anti-media graffiti removed and to apologize for lashing out at N1 journalist Miodrag Sovilj, who was attempting to ask questions of public interest.
He described Serbia as “a sick man of Europe” regarding media freedom, pluralism, media independence, and access to reliable information. He expressed concern about the spread of Russian propaganda from Serbia throughout the Balkan region.
Serbia ranks second to last in Media Freedom Index
Szalai also met in Belgrade with Serbian Information Minister Dejan Ristic and Suzana Vasiljevic, Media Advisor to Serbian president.
He said that, at the meeting, he highlighted Serbia’s alarming position in the RSF Press Freedom Index – ranking 98th out of 180 countries, the second-lowest in the EU and Balkan region, and the country’s worst ranking since the index began in 2002.
The RSF representative said he raised three key issues during meetings with Serbian officials: the misuse of lawsuits to silence journalists, concerns about journalist safety, and political attacks on media workers coupled with impunity for crimes against journalists.
While acknowledging progress in police and prosecution responses to attacks on journalists, Szalai emphasized that major challenges remain, including the unresolved murder of journalist, editor and newspaper publisher Slavko Curuvija from 25 years ago.
He added that “the sovereignty of Serbia is undermined by Russia.”
“Serbia is used as a springboard to spread this Kremlin’s narrative, war propaganda, not only in this country but in the region,” said Szalai.
For officials in Serbia, attacks against journalists not a problem
Regarding attacks against journalists, including N1 journalists, Szalai said he thinks Serbian officials do not understand that this is a serious problem.
“I think it is very important for the international community, the diplomats here in Serbia, the European Union and its member states to continue denouncing these attacks. We will continue bringing this to international attention, so that foreign ministers and presidents who meet Serbian representatives are well aware how journalists are attacked and threatened in Serbia,” Head of EU/Balkans Desk at Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Pavol Szalai told N1.
Source: N1