Attacks on journalists in focus after CPJ and partners’ joint mission to Serbia

Berlin, April 1, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists and partner organizations raised serious concerns on Wednesday about the safety of independent journalists in Serbia, citing a deepening press freedom crisis marked by rising violence, threats, impunity, and tight political control. The warnings follow a two-day visit to Belgrade on March 26–27, where a coalition of media freedom groups, the partner organizations of the Council of Europe’s Platform for the Safety of Journalists and the Media Freedom Rapid Response, said conditions continue to spiral downward.

The delegation’s fears of a worsening press freedom crisis were reinforced immediately after the mission concluded, as multiple reports emerged of journalists being physically attacked while reporting on local elections held across 10 municipalities on March 29.

“The already dire situation for journalists in Serbia is being made worse by officials’ failure to acknowledge the severity of the crisis we witnessed during our visit,” said Attila Mong, CPJ’s Europe representative. “When police stand by as masked groups carry out organized attacks on journalists, it sends a chilling message: Things can get even worse. With those responsible rarely held to account, we fear the violence seen during these local elections may escalate in the months ahead, especially with parliamentary and presidential elections approaching.”

In meetings with journalists, the Supreme Public Prosecution office, police, government officials, and civil society, the delegation heard chilling accounts of a deterioration in press freedom. Stakeholders described systemic failures in the rule of law and dedicated protection mechanisms, resulting in extreme impunity — a legacy exemplified by the 1999 killing of Slavko Ćuruvija. This impunity remains deeply entrenched; despite a dramatic increase in physical attacks referred to prosecutors, judicial authorities secured only three convictions in such attacks against journalists in 2025. 

Read the full joint statement here.