Serbia is going backwards

I received this plea today from the below-named media editors in Serbia. The issues are not new but now the situation is dire. Serbia is headed away from Europe and back to autocracy, despite the massive protests.

Dear Colleagues,

We are reaching out to you as fellow journalists, deeply concerned about the alarming escalation of attacks on independent media in Serbia. As the attached letter outlines, the Serbian government has intensified its efforts to suppress critical reporting through smear campaigns, financial and regulatory pressure, and direct threats against journalists.

In recent months, our colleagues have been subjected to harassment, physical violence, and systematic disinformation. With ongoing student protests and political instability, the environment for independent journalism is becoming increasingly hostile, and we fear for the safety of our reporters on the ground.

We urge you to review the attached letter and consider using your platform to amplify these concerns. International attention is one of the few remaining mechanisms to push back against authoritarian media suppression. By reporting on these developments and engaging with press freedom organizations, you can help ensure that journalists in Serbia are not left to face this crisis alone.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you require additional information or would like to discuss this matter further.

Editors of Independent Serbian Media

Igor Božić, N1 Serbia

Mihailo Jovićević, website Nova.rs

Dragoljub Petrović, daily Danas

Vesna Mališić, political weekly Radar

Slobodan Georgiev, TV Nova Serbia