The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) calls on the police to secure and protect all journalists and media workers on duty during the public gatherings that will be held in Belgrade these days.
Journalists and media workers, in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Serbia, are granted the right to move, work and publish information, with the aim of providing timely and truthful information to all citizens in the Republic of Serbia.
We remind you that last year, before the Pride, the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office ordered the police and basic public prosecutor’s offices to detain up to 48 hours for anyone who attacks journalists while they are reporting from events in Belgrade.
IJAS calls on all journalists and media workers who follow the gatherings to be visibly marked as employees of the media, to carry a journalist ID card and vests with the inscription press.
Journalists and media workers are requested to follow the instructions given to them by police officers in given situations.
IJAS reminds that it launched a 24/7 hotline for immediate reporting of attacks, threats and pressures on media professionals (060/6882231), who can call in case of inconvenience.
Cases can be reported directly to security contact points in the police and prosecutor’s offices. Information on contact points in the police is available here, and in the prosecutor’s offices here.
Media workers can get “press” vests at the IJAS premises on weekdays during working hours from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To pick up a “press” vest, it is necessary for the journalist to have an editorial ID card or a membership card of a journalist association.
IJAS reminds journalists and media workers that they can watch an online workshop on the behavior of journalists in a hostile environment on our YouTube channel.
On our website prvalinija.nuns.rs you can find information about providing psychological help to journalists.