SLAPP lawsuit against Serbia's KRIK marks yet another attempt by those in authority to suppress media freedom
The Balkan Free Media Initiative (BFMI) is gravely concerned about the escalating threats to media freedom in Serbia, highlighted by recent SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) lawsuits targeting investigative journalists. These lawsuits, aimed at silencing independent media, pose a significant threat to democracy and freedom of the press in the region.
The Crime and Corruption Reporting Network (KRIK), a respected investigative journalism organization, is at the forefront of the latest wave of attacks. Judge Dušanka Đorđević from the Belgrade Court of Appeal, one of Serbia’s most senior judges, has filed two lawsuits against KRIK journalists Bojana Pavlović and Stevan Dojčinović. Their alleged crime? Publishing details about Đorđević's professional background and properties in their 'Judge Who Judges' database, a project designed to enhance judicial transparency.
Since its inception, KRIK's database has legally obtained and verified information about 51 judges, including career histories, major cases, and asset details. Judge Đorđević claims that the publication of her information violates her privacy and endangers her safety, and seeks monetary damages along with severe legal sanctions, including a 10-month prison sentence and a 2-year career ban for the two journalists. KRIK maintains that all published data respects legal boundaries.
Đorđević’s actions are part of a broader trend of intimidation and harassment faced by Serbian journalists. Vuk Cvijić, a journalist for Radar weekly, reported that he recently suffered a physical attack from Milan Lađević, co-owner of the pro-government tabloid Srpski Telegraf. In addition to physical assaults, journalists also face an increasing number of vexatious lawsuits. Pištaljka journalist Snežana Đurić is another recent victim of vexatious lawsuits, after being sued by the general secretary of the Rowing Association of Serbia for reporting on management irregularities. These lawsuits often demand harsh penalties, aiming to exhaust and silence critical voices.
The legal action against KRIK and Serbia’s independent media outlets threaten to set a dangerous precedent, jeopardising the safety and careers of journalists, undermining the public's right to information, and threatening to erode the very foundations of democracy.
BFMI stands in solidarity with KRIK, Pištaljka, and all journalists facing intimidation and legal harassment in Serbia It is crucial that the European Union takes action to counter declining media freedom in accession-country Serbia. BFMI calls on the European Parliament (EP) and European Commission (EC) to:
Expand EU Anti-SLAPP protections to accession countries: Earlier this year, the European Parliament passed a landmark Anti-SLAPP directive to protect journalists and human rights advocates from abusive legal proceedings designed to stifle freedom of speech. While this directive sets a minimum standard across the EU, similar protections should be required for EU accession countries like Serbia as part of their membership negotiations. The EP and EC must put pressure on the Serbian governments to urgently enact domestic legislation to effectively counter SLAPP lawsuits.
Condition EU funding on media freedom: Tie financial support and EU membership progress to tangible improvements in media freedom and judicial transparency in Serbia. This includes the disbursement of any accession funds and financial mechanisms like the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans.
The international community must not remain silent in the face of these attacks on media freedom. Ensuring Serbian journalists’ ability to work freely and safely is not just a local issue, but a imperative for democracy and security across the Balkans.
