Serbia: N1’s Jelena Mirković Assaulted at Protest, WPF Alarmed by Rising Attacks on Press
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November 27, 2024 - Serbia, Belgrade
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Masked men and protesters assault N1’s Jelena Mirković and cameraman Aleksandar Cvrkotić while they were covering a protest in Belgrade. Shoved, struck, and harassed, Mirković called it the worst attack in her decade-long career.
At one point an unidentified man tried to snatch Mirković’s microphone. When asked why, he said it was because she was from N1. The channel has reported these incidents to the authorities, and the Prosecutor’s Office plans to open a case.
This attack shows the dangerous consequences of the smear campaign against N1, led and amplified by Serbia's ruling politicians. N1 and its journalists have been repeatedly insulted, berated, and discredited. Now, they’re being physically attacked while doing their jobs. This is terrifying for reporters on the ground in Serbia and is utterly unacceptable.
Just last week, two women journalists were assaulted during separate protests in Serbia. We are witnessing a dangerous rise in aggression towards the press, fueled by harmful political rhetoric and impunity for attackers. This must stop.
Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Jelena Mirković and her N1 colleagues. We demand authorities immediately identify and prosecute those responsible for these violent attacks on journalists.
Novnarka N1 Jelena Mirković napadnuta je dok je izveštavala sa protestne blokade. Nepoznati muškarac je pokušao da joj otme mikrofon. Na pitanje zašto to radi, rekao je da je to zato što je sa N1.
— TV N1 Beograd (@n1srbija) November 27, 2024
Opširnije 👉https://t.co/2W8JV2lffU pic.twitter.com/A7FgiB2klX
WPF is deeply concerned about the disappearance of British journalist Charlotte Peet. The freelance correspondent, who has reported for Al Jazeera and The Times, went missing after arriving in São Paulo.
WPF denounces police officers for unjust detentions of journalists and excessive use of force. We demand accountability from authorities.
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