NUNS calls police to protect journalists

The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) condemned the police response to an attack on 3 news photographers covering last Saturday’s ruling party gathering in central Belgrade.

It recalled that the news photographers were arrested after being confronted by a man in front of a building where a pro-student banner was displayed. They were detained for hours and released without giving statements about the incident, NUNS said adding that the police should have taken action against the assailant.

NUNS called the authorities to investigate this and other incidents and examine the conduct of police officers who detained the photojournalists instead of protecting their ability to report.

The press release also raised concerns over the denial of access to Serbian Armed Forces and Ministry of Defense events over the weekend, saying that Insajder photo editor Srdjan Ilic and Vreme weekly reporter Davor Lukac were denied accreditation for the event at Batajnica airbase and at the Pasuljanske Livade training ground.

NUNS urged the Defense Ministry and the Serbian Armed Forces to explain the decisions and end what it described as selective and discriminatory treatment of journalists and media outlets.