**Serbia’s Journalists Mark World Press Freedom Day with Worsening Media Freedoms**
The world celebrates World Press Freedom Day on May 3, but in Serbia, journalists are greeting the occasion with a growing concern for their safety and freedom. According to reports from domestic and international organizations, the state of media freedom in Serbia has been assessed as alarming.
A report by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) platform, which was prepared after a support mission in Serbia and published on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, highlights the worrying trend of pressures and attacks on media workers. The report notes that these incidents have reached levels not seen in decades, endangering independent and investigative journalism.
The MFRR report also warns that the threats escalated after student protests in Novi Sad, where journalists were subjected to physical attacks, death threats, targeting by high-ranking government officials, spying, and orchestrated smear campaigns. Although Serbia has made some progress on the World Press Freedom Index, with a two-position advance to 96th out of 180 countries, many experts consider this to be an “illusory progress”.
**Polarized Politics and Threats to Journalists**
The report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) for the European Union and the Balkans, Pavol Salai, suggests that the overall index of media freedom in Serbia has actually declined. The statement notes that journalists are often targeted by members of the ruling elite during anti-government protests, with certain national TV channels intensifying these attacks.
Journalists critical of the government face limited access to interviews and public information, leading to self-censorship among media workers. The impact of media laws on improving the situation has not yet been evaluated, and although some regulations have produced positive results in cases of attacks on journalists, the judiciary still needs to prove its independence and effectiveness.
**Safety Concerns for Journalists**
According to RSF’s conclusion, journalists still do not feel protected in Serbia. The Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS) also assessed that the position of journalists is difficult, with media workers often being targeted by attacks. UNS warns that the number of attacks on journalists will be higher in 2025 compared to last year.
The economic position of media workers is also a concern, with bad working conditions and limited resources affecting their ability to report freely.
**Conclusion**
As Serbia’s journalists mark World Press Freedom Day, it becomes clear that the country has a long way to go to ensure genuine press freedom. The alarming state of media freedoms, attacks on journalists, and lack of protection for media workers are all worrying trends that need immediate attention from authorities.
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