UN Experts Warn Serbia to Halt Escalating Attacks on Journalists

December 06, 2025 – Serbia – 

UN human-rights experts have issued a sharp rebuke to Serbia over a rising wave of violence, harassment, and intimidation targeting journalists, urging the government to take immediate action to protect media workers and uphold democratic freedoms. The intervention follows months of mounting concern from press-freedom groups, who say 2025 has seen one of the most hostile climates for Serbian journalists in recent years.

According to the UN statement, the pattern of abuse has become “deeply entrenched,” ranging from physical assaults during protests to coordinated online threats, smear campaigns, property damage, and doxxing. Several journalists have reported being attacked while visibly identified as members of the press, with police either failing to intervene or, in some cases, being accused of using excessive force themselves. Media organizations inside Serbia have recorded a sharp spike in violations, noting that many incidents occur in politically charged settings where reporters attempt to cover demonstrations, corruption investigations, or public criticism of government policy.

The UN experts expressed particular alarm over the inflammatory language used by certain political figures, warning that official rhetoric portraying independent journalists as “enemies,” “foreign agents” or destabilizing actors contributes directly to a climate where violence is normalized. They emphasized that when senior leaders delegitimize the press, it emboldens attackers and weakens safeguards intended to protect journalists from retaliation.

In their call to Serbian authorities, the experts demanded prompt, impartial investigations into all attacks and accountability for perpetrators, including state actors when implicated. They also urged Serbia to reaffirm its international commitments on freedom of expression, stressing that the ability of journalists to operate safely is fundamental to transparency, public trust, and democratic stability.

Press-freedom organizations welcomed the UN’s intervention but warned that without concrete reforms — such as stronger legal protections, improved police response, and an end to hostile political messaging — the situation is unlikely to improve. Many reporters in Serbia say they now work in an atmosphere of fear, facing growing pressure to self-censor or avoid sensitive topics altogether.

As the country continues to navigate political tension and social unrest, the call from UN experts serves as a stark reminder: safeguarding journalists is not optional — it is a prerequisite for any functioning democracy.

Reference – 

https://www.jurist.org/news/2025/12/un-experts-urge-serbia-to-end-attacks-against-journalists/

https://anem.org.rs/en/strane/eksperti-un-srbija-mora-da-zaustavi-napade-na-novinare

https://www.miragenews.com/un-experts-urge-serbia-to-halt-journalist-1584265/