Threats against Radar journalists Vuk Cvijić and Milan Radonjić, which this time also targeted their children, have once again raised questions about the safety of investigative journalists in Serbia. Željko Bodrožić, president of the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS), warned on N1’s “Crvena linija” program that journalists who expose corruption and crime are particularly vulnerable, and that in a country where institutions are not fully performing their duties, threats and pressure can easily escalate into something far more serious.
For years, the database of attacks and pressure on journalists maintained by the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) has served as a source of information for international institutions and organizations about the state of journalists’ safety in Serbia, Bodrožić says.
According to him, the number of attacks and instances of pressure has increased year after year.
“The situation has become more complicated over the past two years because Serbia has been going through a turbulent period for a long time. Because of the street protests, many journalists have become targets of both powerful politicians and various influential figures, all the way up to criminal bosses,” Bodrožić said.
Speaking about the attacks on Radar journalists Vuk Cvijić and Milan Radonjić, he also stressed that journalists who conduct investigative reporting and expose corruption and crime are particularly at risk.
“In a country where institutions are not fully carrying out their duties, such threats and such pressure can easily escalate into something even worse,” Bodrožić believes.
He added that they frequently warn public officials, who wield power and constantly appear in the most influential media outlets, that they must be careful about their rhetoric. As he pointed out, many attacks appear to follow the public targeting and criminalization of journalists and media workers by officials, who are, in a sense, “the main generators of hatred toward journalists.”
“The public as the only defense”
In many cases involving attacks on journalists, the public is their only defense, he stressed.
He also said that the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists has existed for ten years, bringing together representatives of media and journalists’ associations, as well as representatives of the Ministry of the Interior and the prosecution service. Initially, he said, both the police and prosecutors had been willing to resolve cases, since the most important thing in such situations is to respond quickly and for state authorities to take steps to protect the journalist who has been attacked.
“In many cases, we have seen that when pressure comes from outside, primarily from the European Union, our institutions are capable of doing their job effectively and quickly. But because many cases also involve incitement by people holding senior political positions, state authorities are automatically reluctant when it comes to resolving them. We have many reports that never result in court proceedings, and the number of unresolved attacks on journalists keeps growing,” the NUNS president explained.
Support for the Nova.rs newsroom — how powerful a newsroom can be when it stands together
Over the past period, protests in support of the Nova.rs news portal have been organized outside its newsroom.
“What is happening in Serbia is an attack on the media outlets formerly owned by United Group, which have acquired a new owner. The changes announced by the new owners, some of which they have already begun implementing, first prompted a reaction from journalists’ and media associations here in Serbia. Later, colleagues and associations from across the region joined our initiative. This showed that in difficult times, when attacks on journalists are becoming more frequent and brutal, those who are targeted value solidarity and support from their colleagues, which genuinely helps them through such difficult moments,” our interlocutor said.
The most important thing, he noted, was that the Nova.rs journalists stood united within their newsroom.
“They showed how powerful a newsroom can be when it stands together and when all its members stand up to defend its autonomy and their journalistic rights,” he explained.
Significant increase in pressure, threats and physical attacks on journalists
A significant increase in pressure, threats and physical attacks against journalists was recorded in Serbia in 2026, particularly ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 25. In September alone, the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) recorded 24 incidents, while the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation documented more than 100 verbal attacks and instances of pressure by state officials.
Journalist Danica Vučenić received a threatening letter addressed to her and her family. In June, the car of David Gruhonjić, son of professor and journalist Dinko Gruhonjić, was vandalized in Novi Sad following a new series of incidents in which targets were painted on his father. N1 news director Branislav Šovljanski and other media workers have also received dangerous threats through social media.
In recent days, we have witnessed new attacks that appear to be the most brutal yet against Radar journalists Vuk Cvijić and Milan Radonjić, following a report on Sky messages confirming direct links between government representatives and criminals.
The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia, the Journalists’ Association of Serbia and the Independent Media Association have called on the authorities to urgently identify those responsible for the threats against Radar journalists Vuk Cvijić and Milan Radonjić, which this time also include threats against their children.
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Source: N1 Foto: PrintScreen/ N1
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