Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is calling on the Serbian government to "stop supporting and instead publicly condemn" what the organization describes as "repeated, systematic defamatory attacks" against journalists working at the privately owned N1 TV channel.
The Paris-based media freedom group said in a statement on November 20 that N1, which it described as Serbia's "only major independent TV channel," has been subjected to attacks by the government and pro-government media in recent weeks.
"The sole aim of this campaign, which is based on statements and speculation that are discriminatory and offensive, is to intimidate and scare these journalists," according to Pauline Ades-Mevel, head of RSF’s European Union and Balkans desk.
One N1 reporter, Miodrag Sovilj, is "currently the target of an unprecedented explosion of public anger stirred up by the president's allies and pro-government media," RSF said.
Pro-government media and officials have suggested that President Aleksandar Vucic’s health deteriorated last week because of questions posed by Sovilj.
Vucic was hospitalized on November 15 with cardiovascular problems, and was released from hospital three days later.
Since November 18, the journalist has been subjected to "additional smear attempts" after photos taken when he was a student were stolen from his Myspace account and began circulating online, RSF said.
It added that Serbia's tabloids have used the pictures to portray Sovilj as an alcoholic and drug addict.
RSF said the situation is "increasingly worrying" in the Balkan country, which is now ranked 90th out of 180 countries in the media watchdog’s 2019 World Press Freedom Index.
Vucic has been Serbia's president since 2017. He has faced accusations of curbing media freedoms and democracy.
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
'The Best' For Putin: How The Kremlin Stands To Gain From Iran's Attack On Israel
2Explainer: The 'Kamikaze' Drones Iran Used To Attack Israel
3Iran's Unprecedented But Choreographed Attack On Israel Underlines Tehran's Limits
4Wider Europe Briefing: Kosovo Could Finally Get In The Council Of Europe
5Live Briefing: Russia Invades Ukraine
6At Least 17 Dead In Ukraine As Zelenskiy Laments Lack Of Air Defenses
7Ukraine Will Become NATO Member, Predicts Former Deputy Secretary-General
8John Bolton Says Strong Israeli Response To Iran Attack Would Be Justified
9Armenia, Azerbaijan To Clash At UN Top Court
10Georgian Deputy Punches Lawmaker Over 'Foreign Agents' Bill
Subscribe