Serbian Pro-Govt TV Station Accused of Targeting Journalist

The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia, IJAS, and the Centre for Research, Transparency and Accountability, CRTA, asked viewers in Serbia on Monday to report TV Pink to the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media over its reports depicting Skrozza as an enemy of the government.

Pink aired several reports about Skrozza after CRTA, a watchdog NGO of which she is an active member, published research showing that ruling party figures have appeared in the media four times more often than politicians from the opposition.

According to Skrozza and the IJAS, TV Pink took statements Skrozza made during various public appearances out of context in order to depict her as being politically biased.

“IJAS and CRTA are launching an action in support of journalists and colleagues from CRTA, regarding the shameful daily campaign by TV Pink, which targets Skrozza… as an enemy of [Serbian President] Aleksandar Vucic and aims to discredit CRTA,” the two organisations said in a press release.

The IJAS and CRTA say they want to make the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media address the “manipulations” that TV Pink used to depict Skrozza as being hostile towards Vucic.

So far more than 90 complaints have been filed.

Skrozza said that TV Pink’s campaign against her has created “tension” in her daily life.

“My mother is very scared for me and the safety of my child,” she told IJAS, but added that she was determined to continue her work.