On 21 March 2024 in Novi Sad, Serbia recent events have once again brought to light the challenges faced by journalists, particularly Dinko Gruhonjić, who is Program Director of the Independent Journalists’ Association of Vojvodina (NDNV – https://ndnv.org/), journalist at Autonomija portal (https://autonomija.info/), and University professor in Novi Sad, Serbia. Threatening graffiti were written at the building where he lives in Novi Sad, Serbia.
The graffiti represents not just verbal harassment, but a tangible threat to Gruhonjić’s safety and well-being.
Once again, after citizens had repainted over a previous graffiti on the night of 23 March 2024 new graffiti was inscribed at the entrance of the building of journalist Dinko Gruhonjić. On the wall, in red paint, it was written “You painted for nothing! Liman.”
This latest incident is not an isolated one; rather, it is part of an ongoing pattern of intimidation and hostility directed towards Gruhonjić and other journalists in Serbia. It is worth noting that Gruhonjić has been subjected to similar acts of intimidation in the past, indicating a troubling trend of harassment and aggression aimed at silencing dissent and stifling press freedom in the region.
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns such reprehensible behavior and stands in solidarity with Gruhonjić and all journalists who face similar threats and intimidation in Serbia. Freedom of the press is a fundamental pillar of democracy, and any attempt to undermine it must be met with swift and decisive action. We urge the authorities to thoroughly investigate this matter and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Journalists must be able to carry out their work without fear of reprisal, and it is incumbent upon society as a whole to uphold and protect their rights and freedoms.
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.
Photo source: Dinko Gruhonjić- X
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