Protests in Serbia: at least 89 attacks on journalists recorded by RSF in one year

When independent journalist Dalibor Stupartried to film the arrival by bus of pro-government activists, he was prevented from doing so by those who were supposed to protect him. After pushing him, the police illegally seized his phone, claiming he had no right to cover the public gathering organised on 11 October by regime supporters to counter the anti-government protests. The assaulton this reporter from the Betanews agency and the Autonomijanews site is symptomatic of the situation facing Serbian journalists who, for a year now, have been covering the protests triggered by the collapse of the Novi Sad railway station in the north of the country, which left 16 people dead.

Since 1 November 2024, Serbian media professionals have been victims of at least 89 physical attacks, according to RSF's tally. The total for 2025 stands at 82 cases, the highest annual number since 2008, according to comparative data from RSF and its local partner, NUNS. About half of the violence was perpetrated by law-enforcement officers who, moreover, look the other way when journalists are attacked by pro-government activists.

Through NUNS, RSF is supporting obstructed journalists - providing financial support and technical assistance to supply protective vests to professionals covering the protests.

European response to RSF's calls

Following appeals in Julyand August2025 by RSF and other international and Serbian organisations, the European Parliament strongly criticised the Serbian government in a resolutionadopted on 22 October. Acknowledging that "a number of journalists have been assaulted or denied protection while reporting on the protests," it denounces the fuelling of hatred against protesters and journalists by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. He "has framed the protests as 'colour revolutions' organised and financed by foreign secret services of Western states, and has transmitted this via pro-government media," the European Parliament resolution said. The resolution also condemns political pressure targeting Serbia's largest independent channel, N1, whose newsroom has been nominatedfor the 2025 RSF Press Freedom Prize in the Courage category for its protest coverage.

A week before the European Parliament's resolution, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen limited herself, during her meeting in Belgrade with Aleksandar Vucic, to communicatingthe need for mere "progress as regards […] media freedom." Yet nine international organisations defending press freedom and journalists, including RSF, had warnedher of the dangerous precedent that EU inaction in Serbia would set for the Western Balkans.

"The instruments at the Commission's disposal, including the suspension of EU funds, should be implemented in order to send a clear message about the EU's commitment to independent journalism and media freedom in the region," they wrote on 13 October in a joint statement.

Two particularly violent days

Since RSF's last assessmentin August 2025, two days have been particularly violent for journalists covering the protests in Novi Sad. On 5 September, law-enforcement officers assaulted Emir Kahrimanovicof the 021.rssite, Katarina Stevanovicof the weekly Vreme, Nemanja Sarović of the KTVchannel, as well as Ksenija Pavkovand her cameraman colleague from the N1television channel. In addition, during a raid at the University of Novi Sad, police detained several members of the student editorial team of Blokada infoand seized their equipment.

On 11 October, officers used disproportionate force against Darija Maticof the site Masina.rs, Brankica Maticof the site Storyteller, as well as Miljko Stojanovicand Andela Risantijevic of the site Glas Zajecara. On the same day, a man threatened and followed N1journalist Lea Aprobefore grabbing her hand and taking her phone; he was detained by the police-a rare occurrence.

Out of 180 countries and territories in RSF's 2025 World Press Freedom Index, Serbia ranks 96th.