The recent trial that started on 29 December 2024 against journalist Snežana Đurić from the investigative portal Pištaljka (https://pistaljka.rs/) raises serious concerns about press freedom and the misuse of legal mechanisms to suppress critical reporting in Serbia. One individual has demanded punishment for Đurić, alleging that her reporting caused him emotional distress. The individual claims defamation due to the publication of his photo, sourced from an official website. In addition to imprisonment, he seeks financial compensation exceeding 650,000 RSD (5557.98 EUR) for alleged reputational harm.
The lawsuit focuses on Đurić’s articles, relying on whistleblowers’ testimonies and official sources, including one Ministry and state prosecutors.
You can read Pištaljka article: https://pistaljka.rs/home/read/1117
During the court hearing at the Second Basic Court in Belgrade,Serbia,Đurić emphasized her role as a journalist committed to exposing the misuse of public resources and corruption by public officials. She argued that the lawsuit represents an abuse of the judicial system, aimed at curbing critical journalism rather than addressing any genuine harm.
Notably, prior to the hearing, court security removed a journalist from Euronews (https://www.euronews.rs/) who attempted to record proceedings, citing a directive from the court’s president. This action further highlights the opacity surrounding the case and raises questions about the judiciary’s role in ensuring transparency.
The next court session, where this individual and Pištaljka’s editor-in-chief Vladimir Radomirović are expected to testify, is scheduled for 10 March 2025. Advocates have condemned the trial as a tactic to retaliate against Đurić’s work. As Pištaljka’s lawyer, Duško Kovačević, stated, the lawsuit symbolizes an effort by a public figure to evade accountability and punish a journalist for fulfilling her professional duty to inform the public.
This case underscores the challenges faced by investigative journalists in Serbia, where legal tools are increasingly weaponized against those who dare to expose corruption and misuse of public funds.
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the legal proceedings initiated against journalist Snežana Đurić of Pištaljka, viewing this case as a blatant attempt to intimidate and silence investigative journalism in Serbia. The misuse of judicial mechanisms to target a journalist for reporting on matters of public interest, including allegations of corruption and, is deeply concerning and undermines press freedom. SEEMO emphasizes that such actions set a dangerous precedent for media independence and the public’s right to access critical information. SEEMO will closely monitor this case and call on the relevant authorities to ensure that the judicial process upholds the principles of free expression and media rights.
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regionalnon-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives andleading journalists in Southeast, South,East and Central Europe. SEEMOmembers 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, NorthMacedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia,Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine andUzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and SanMarino have a special statusin SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members,and additional mediaas corporate members.
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