Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) provides full support to colleague Nikola Stamenić and the editorial staff of the Sportklub and condemns the inappropriate behavior of the general director of the Red Star Football Club, who insulted and belittled Stamenić and other journalists and media.
At the club press conference, Zvezdan Terzić (general director of the Red Star Football Club), dissatisfied with the questions, accused Stamenić of “hating Red Star” and then additionally accused him and the editorial offices of Nova S, Danas, Radar and the Direktno portal of “spreading false information”.
Like many other public officials, Terzić also cannot understand that there are still journalists and media who work in the public interest and whose task is to question and criticize those who manage public money and property. It is also worrying that Terzić identifies himself with Red Star, just like leading politicians with the state, and explains every question or criticism addressed to him as an attack on the club.
We remind that the Red Star management, led by Terzić, discriminates against journalists from the Sportklub and several “unsuitable” media outlets by not granting them accreditation for international matches.
Unfortunately, sport has long since become a place for political actors to score points and deal with dissenters. Today, numerous sports officials, as well as government representatives and heads of institutions in Serbia, abuse their positions and attack journalists who are critical of their work.
We remind and warn sports officials and experts to treat media workers with respect, enable them to do their work without interference and answer their questions, and not to name-call, insult and target journalists. We call on the government representatives to condemn such attacks and send a message to the public that targeting journalists is not allowed.
IJAS will record this pressure on colleague Stamenić to the IJAS’ database of pressures and attacks on journalists and will provide him with all legal assistance.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS)
Belgrade, December 28th, 2024