Concerns regarding the state of press freedom in Serbia have prompted international intervention, with the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and its partners from Bosnia and Herzegovina issuing a formal warning. The warning details a deteriorating environment for media freedom and the safety of journalists operating within the country. The assessment follows a global mission conducted in Belgrade in March 2026.
Reports indicate that the operational landscape for the media in Serbia is facing significant challenges. These concerns include documented instances of physical violence within newsrooms, the proliferation of online smear campaigns and threats, and issues related to digital non-criminality alongside increasingly strict political control over media outlets. The EFJ’s warning highlights that the window for independent journalism is narrowing.
Despite these pressures, the professional journalistic sector remains substantial, with projections indicating that the number of registered journalists in Serbia in 2025 will reach 100,000. The confluence of these factors—ranging from physical confrontations to systemic political oversight—presents a troubling picture for the free press. Observers have noted that the level of violence reported in the newsrooms represents a record concern.
International bodies are monitoring the situation closely to advocate for necessary safeguards to ensure that journalists can operate without undue risk or political interference in the media landscape of Serbia.
Topics: #media #serbia #record
