BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Media professionals brought traffic to a standstill Wednesday in front of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s office, demanding action against what they describe as escalating violence and intimidation targeting news reporters throughout the Balkan nation.
The demonstration in Serbia’s capital came after reporters covering Sunday’s municipal elections encountered violent confrontations during chaotic scenes reported in at least three of the 10 communities holding votes.
“We want to show solidarity with colleagues who were attacked on that day (Sunday) … but also to stress the ever harder and more dangerous position of journalists in the field,” Serbia’s Independent Journalists’ Association said in a statement.
The organization emphasized that “attacks on journalists are not isolated incidents, they are a systematic blow to the public’s right to know.”
Global election monitors documented violence and voting irregularities during Sunday’s balloting.
The municipal contests served as a political barometer for Vucic after more than 12 months of youth-driven demonstrations that have weakened his firm control over the country. His conservative populist Serbian Progressive Party secured victories across all 10 municipalities.
Approximately 20 media workers faced assault on Sunday, while the Serbian press organization reports documenting over 100 such incidents throughout this year.
Government officials have pledged investigations, though prosecution of perpetrators has been virtually nonexistent.
While Serbia maintains official European Union membership candidate status, Vucic faces criticism for restricting democratic institutions, particularly press liberties, while strengthening relationships with Russia and China.
Political friction intensified Tuesday when law enforcement officers conducted searches at Belgrade University headquarters, claiming to investigate a student fatality. University officials accused authorities of exploiting the case to apply pressure following student-organized demonstrations that began in November 2024 after a deadly train station incident in northern Serbia.
Thousands assembled Tuesday evening outside the university administration building in central Belgrade to condemn the police operation. Brief confrontations occurred when officers forced demonstrators back from the structure.
The student movement emerged following a railway platform roof collapse in Novi Sad that claimed 16 lives. The protests represent the most significant threat to Vucic’s authority in over ten years.
