Threats against the life and physical safety of journalists, Veran Matić, Belgrade, 20.07.2025.

IJAS •︎ Posted on

Threats against the life and physical safety of journalists, Veran Matić, Belgrade, 20.07.2025.

Translations: Beograd 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Belgrade
  • Who was attacked?
    Journalist
  • Gender
    Man
  • Victim(s) name
    Veran Matić

  • Media outlet

  • Name of the media outlet
    Bezbedni novinari
  • Type of media platform
    Online Media
  • Source of information about the incident
    Veran Matić

  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    20.07.2025
  • City
    Beograd
  • Were authorities informed?
    Case was reported to the police
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Known (suspected)
  • Attacked by
    By public official(s) and/or representative(s) of the executive power
  • Means of incidents and attacks
    Through media outlets (broadcast, print, online)
  • Type of incident
    Threats against the lives and physical safety of journalists
  • Type of threat
    Implicit - to journalist(s)

  • Action by the authorities

  • Legal status of the case
    The procedure is in the phase of gathering information about all the circumstances of the case
  • Type of violation
    Security threat

  • Action taken by the journalists' association

  • Was journalist's association informed by the journalists directly?
    Yes
  • What was the reaction of the journalists' association?
    The association reacted publicly

Journalist, president of the Commission for Investigating the Murders of Journalists, and member of the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists, Veran Matić, is the target of dangerous, direct smear and lynching campaigns that could seriously endanger his safety.

On July 20, during a television program, Serbian President Vučić stated that those who were “convicted because of Veran Matić should have their records cleared and receive an apology from him.”

He further demanded that Veran Matić apologize to individuals accused of the murder of journalist Slavko Ćuruvija and “bring them a bottle of wine.” This represents severe targeting and intimidation of a journalist and sends a message that targeting and inciting revenge against those who fight for truth and justice is once again permitted in Serbia.

Numerous organizations have condemned this targeting, and journalistic and media associations, members of the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists, have requested that the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Serbia conduct a safety assessment for Veran Matić and determine whether there is any current threat to his life or physical integrity.