Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) expresses serious concern about frequent threats to journalists and violation of ethical standards in the media, including unauthorized use of personal data and sensationalist reporting that threatens the privacy and safety of journalists and citizens.
The year has just begun, and IJAS has already registered several incidents against journalists.
In addition to serious death threats to Nenad Kulačin and Marko Vidojković, authors of the show “Dobar, Loš, Zao” (“Good, Bad, Evil”), we note media attacks on journalist Dinko Gruhonjić and members of his family, as well as on colleague Darko Šper. These attacks undermine the safety of colleagues and their families, as well as their professional integrity.
We also express concern regarding recent publications in certain media that include the unauthorized use of students’ personal data with sensationalist reporting, which grossly violates the basic rights to privacy and security of individuals.
Today, the authorities will be notified of the case that happened in the last week of last year, when graffiti related to Zoran Kesić, host and author of the popular satirical show on TV Nova S, appeared all over Belgrade, stating the date of the tragedy in Novi Sad and reading “1 . 11. 2024. Zoran Kesić. Show must go on”. As Kesić himself interprets the message of the graffiti for daily Danas, it refers to the sentence he uttered at the performance in Sarajevo on 1.11: “The show must go on for those of us who remain, who grieve for the victims and hope for a speedy recovery of the injured, but who also insist on responsibility “. According to Danas, before the appearance of the graffiti, Red Star club fans were outraged by Kesić’s show, in which he drew attention to the fact that Red Star fans Delije had removed a banner that symbolized the protests over the tragedy in Novi Sad during the match against Olympiakos. Delije strongly reacted to it with announcements.
We condemn every attempt by institutions to share personal data of citizens without a clear legal basis, as well as the media’s practice of publishing such information, thus disregarding the ethical standards of the journalistic profession. In addition to jeopardizing the safety of individuals, it also contributes to the creation of an atmosphere of intolerance and social instability. Threats to journalists, media attacks on them, as well as media publication of personal data of individuals directly violate the laws of Serbia, including the Criminal Code, the Law on Protection of Personal Data and the Law on Public Information and Media, as well as the Serbian Journalists’ Code of Ethics.
IJAS appeals to the competent institutions to urgently investigate and process threats and attacks against journalists, as well as all those responsible for the misuse of students’ personal data and consequently endangering their safety.
We remind the media that responsibility and professional ethics are key to preserving media freedom and public trust.
IJAS, as always, will continue to support media professionals and insist on compliance with the law and ethical standards.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS)
Belgrade, January 4th, 2025