Berlin, October 23, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Serbian authorities to ensure that journalists can report safely throughout Sunday’s parliamentary election, and the period that follows, after a campaign marked by physical attacks, police obstruction, and threats against reporters.
Since CPJ
warned
a month ago of growing risks for journalists ahead of the vote, reporters have been pushed and
hit
by police officers, had phones
seized
or cameras
struck
, and been
prevented
from
covering
campaign events. At
some
pro-government
rallies
, police
obstructed
journalists, used
force
to remove them or failed to
intervene
when reporters were attacked. Security personnel also
blocked
journalists from some of these events.
“The attacks we have seen during this election campaign are a warning of what could happen on October 25 and afterwards. Serbian authorities must ensure that police protect journalists rather than obstruct them and that local and international reporters can access election-related events. All reported attacks and irregularities must be promptly investigated,” said Attila Mong, CPJ’s Europe program coordinator.
“Serbia’s international partners, election observers, and foreign embassies should closely monitor the safety of journalists on election day, stay in contact with local media and journalist safety groups, and raise attacks or obstruction immediately with Serbian authorities. Journalists must be able to document what happens around the country without fear. Their ability to do so is an essential part of a free and fair election,” Mong said.
Recent attacks unfolded amid a broader climate of intimidation and hostility that has become increasingly common under Aleksandar Vučić, the former president who
stepped down
in September to
run for election
as prime minister after more than a decade in power.
Independent media have faced repeated verbal attacks from public officials and ruling party fig
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