Watchdog warns Serbian journalists face election threats

The Committee to Protect Journalists warned that reporters covering Serbia’s Oct. 25 snap parliamentary election face growing threats, violence and hostility, and urged authorities to protect them and respond promptly to attacks. The warning comes amid documented police violence, smear campaigns involving public officials, legal and digital threats, impunity and efforts by the ruling party to tighten control over the media. N1 journalist Danica Vucenic said threats against her and her family have gone unaddressed despite repeated reports to authorities. CPJ also called on Serbia’s European partners to monitor press freedom and press Belgrade to uphold the rule of law.