July 23, 2025
Civil society warns of increasingly dangerous smear campaigns against media workers, the consequences of which can seriously threaten their safety. These attacks come from the highest public positions in Serbia. President Vučić’s statement, which demands that Veran Matić apologize to the people who were accused of murdering journalist Slavko Ćuruvija and “take them a bottle of wine”, represents an unequivocal and dangerous political message: that targeting and calling for revenge against those who fight for truth and justice is once again allowed in Serbia.
Veran Matić dedicated his life to freedom of speech, protection of journalists, building a culture of solidarity and charity in our country. As part of his charitable work, Veran launched the “Battle for Babies” initiative, which enabled maternity hospitals across Serbia to receive more than 220 incubators and thereby save the lives of thousands of babies. Through the establishment of the Serbian Philanthropic Forum and management of the B92 Fund, he mobilized the public, companies and institutions to engage in numerous humanitarian actions in the areas of health, education and media freedom. He particularly distinguished himself in the collection and distribution of aid during emergency situations such as the floods of 2014 and the COVID-19 pandemic, showing that media influence combined with social responsibility has a direct positive effect on raising the level of social solidarity and finding systemic solutions to problems that directly affect the lives of citizens.
In addition, Veran Matić has consistently and courageously protected the safety of journalists in Serbia for decades – from the establishment of the Commission for Investigating the Murders of Journalists, through the SOS telephone to help journalists, which he personally answered, to the constant support of local media throughout Serbia, in the most difficult conditions of pressure and threats. While Matić was with his colleagues, the state was symbolically and institutionally absent. The most painful example of this remains the fact that the case of the murder of Slavko Ćuruvija, after all the years and trials, did not receive its epilogue and justice.
By calling for revenge against a man dedicated to truth and the public good, the president shows that he uses his position to attack defenders of freedom of speech, while at the same time absolving bullies and providing protection to those who brutally attack citizens with fists, baseballs and cars. With this act, the president continues to stand openly on the side of violence and impunity, clearly showing that crime and violence are not incidents, but state policy.
Therefore, we, the undersigned civil society organizations, call on the competent institutions to act professionally and conscientiously, protect the personal safety of Veran Matić and reject the political practice of impunity for violence, and citizens to be persistent and united in the fight for responsibility.
In a responsible society, the president of the state, when he gives up and loses power, does not call for lynching.
In a responsible society, people like Veran Matić are protected and rewarded – not targeted.
Civil society organizations – signatories:
- Catalyst Balkans
- Građanske inicijative
- Youth Initiative for Human Rights
- CRTA
- Belgrade Center for Human Rights
- Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia
- Trag Foundation
- Partneri Srbija
- Our House Association
- Association of Citizens of Novi Sad Bicycle Initiative
- Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation
- “Living Upright” Center
- Romani Asvin
- Green oasis Kučevo
- Kučevo Initiative
- “Teach Me” Association
- Pro.Tok21
- “Our world, our rules” youth association
- Center for girls
- Association of independent electronic media ANEM
- Fond B92
- A 11 – Initiative for economic and social rights
- New optimism
- Candles BASE
- Serbian Philanthropic Forum
- Prijepolje Women’s Forum Association
- KROKODIL Association
- Proaktiv
- Okular
- Association ZOO Planet Niš
- Local StPa Foundation
- Tatamata Association
- Cirkusfera Association