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The Guardian
23-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Press freedom in Serbia is facing a dangerous turning point, warn editors
Press freedom in Serbia is now facing a 'dangerous turning point' after mounting pressure on independent outlets from ministers and state-backed media, a group of senior editors has warned. The editors, who are all from publications within the independent United Media group, said their reporters faced 'constant harassment, physical attacks and smear campaigns' after their reporting in the country, which has been gripped by protests against its autocratic president, Aleksandar Vučić. Their intervention follows what appears to have been the largest anticorruption demonstration in Serbia's history this month. The mass gathering in Belgrade marked the culmination of four months of protests against the government after the deadly collapse of a concrete train station canopy in the northern city of Novi Sadlast November. Civil society groups have been warning for months about an increasingly hostile environment for independent media since the station collapse, which killed 16 people and set in motion a political backlash against Vučić's pro-Russia administration. 'The media in Serbia is at a dangerous turning point,' wrote the editors in an open letter signed by five outlets and included Igor Božić, the news director of the CNN-affiliated N1 Serbia. 'The government is stepping up its attack on independent journalism, especially targeting outlets within United Media, as the political crisis worsens and public frustration grows. 'Instead of addressing real public issues, the government creates false stories that paint independent media as foreign agents and enemies of the state. As a result, our reporters are assaulted, blocked from official events, and targeted with disinformation meant to break public trust.' Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has said the pressure exerted on the media in Serbia has reached levels not seen since the 1990s. It has also urged the EU to condemn a raid on the offices of the Centre for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA), an NGO that runs a prominent fact-checking website. Pavol Szalai, the head of the RSF's EU-Balkans desk, said Serbia was 98th out of 180 countries and territories on the world press freedom index last year, its lowest ranking in 22 years of the index. There have been several reports of hostility towards independent journalists since the train station tragedy. At the end of last year, the N1 journalist Žaklina Tatalović and her cameraperson Nikola Popović were harassed while covering protests. Local press freedom groups said at the time that Tatalović and Popović had endured sexist insults and physical violence. Police officers were accused of failing to intervene. Another N1 reporter Jelena Mirković was attacked while covering protests against the demolition of a bridge. She suffered a neck injury and was subsequently unable to work. Last month, fellow N1 journalist Ksenija Pavkov was verbally threatened while reporting. In their letter, the group of editors said Vučić was falsely accusing journalists of 'stirring unrest'. They also said financial and regulatory pressures were being applied, forcing away advertisers and business partners. 'With ongoing student protests and a dissolved government awaiting new elections, we are deeply concerned for the safety of our reporters on the ground,' they wrote. 'The growing hostility toward independent media, fuelled by orchestrated government rhetoric, has created an environment where violence is not only allowed but even encouraged. 'In the past four months alone, our journalists, including Zaklina Tatalović, Ksenija Pavkov, and Jelena Mirković, have suffered both physical and verbal attacks. Despite clear video evidence of the perpetrators, the police have done nothing to hold them accountable.' Sign up to Headlines Europe A digest of the morning's main headlines from the Europe edition emailed direct to you every week day after newsletter promotion Half a million people have also signed an online petition calling for an independent investigation into whether security forces in Serbia used a sonic weapon – what the petition described as a 'sound cannon' – during the rally on 15 March. Vučić remains under pressure and faces the most dangerous moment of his 12-year grip on power. Protests have been a regular feature in Serbia since November. The president has so far sought to deflect the blame, with a series of resignations arising from the station collapse. The Serbian government, led by the prime minister, Miloš Vučević, formally resigned last week, with Vučić saying elections could follow in June. Protesters are demanding accountability for the disaster at Novi Sad, as well as more transparent institutions based on the rule of law. More than a dozen people have been charged in relation to the canopy collapse. On Friday, it was announced that a teenager had become the latest to die from injuries sustained in the disaster. As many as 325,000 people took to the streets of Belgrade on 15 March, though the government has disputed those estimates. V ideo footage shows crowds suddenly splitting, with some complaining of feeling the ill effects associated with the use of a sonic weapon. However, senior government politicians and police have denied that such a weapon was deployed. Vučić described the claim as a 'wicked lie' that was aimed at 'destroying Serbia'.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hong Sangsoo's ‘What Does That Nature Say to You' Lands Distribution Deals Across Multiple Territories
Korean auteur Hong Sangsoo's latest Berlinale competition entry 'What Does That Nature Say to You' has secured distribution deals across multiple territories, Seoul-based sales agent Finecut has revealed. The film has been picked up by Arizona Films (France), Ama Films (Greece & Cyprus), Minerva Pictures (Italy), L'atalante Cinema (Spain), Cola Films (Taiwan) and The Cinema Guild (U.S.). Hong's minimalist drama, which follows a young poet who spends a day with his girlfriend's family, marks the director's 12th film to screen at the Berlinale. The pic stars Ha Seongguk ('A Traveler's Needs,' 'Mimang') and Kwon Haehyo ('A Traveler's Needs,' 'By the Stream'). More from Variety 'Walking With Dinosaurs' on the Slate as BBC Studios, ABC Australia Renew Partnership - Global Bulletin 'What Does That Nature Say to You' Review: Hong Sangsoo Takes a Blurry Lens to Early Adulthood Venkatesh's 'Sankranthiki Vasthunam' Powers Indian Box Office to $116 Million in January - Global Bulletin According to Finecut, the film's world premiere in Berlin was met with laughter and enthusiasm, with Hong's signature subtle humor resonating strongly with audiences and international buyers alike. The prolific filmmaker has become a Berlinale darling in recent years, collecting an array of Silver Bear awards. Hong won the Silver Bear grand jury prize for 'A Traveler's Needs' in 2024 and 'The Novelist's Film' in 2022, the Silver Bear for best screenplay for 'Introduction' in 2021, and the Silver Bear for best director for 'The Woman Who Ran' in 2020. United Media and Met Film are developing 'Queen Panther,' a documentary series chronicling the extraordinary life of Olivera Ćirković, the former leader of the infamous Pink Panther criminal organization. The series will explore Ćirković's remarkable journey from celebrated Yugoslav national basketball star to criminal mastermind who became Interpol's most wanted fugitive, and her eventual path to redemption. Ćirković was once a national sports hero in both Greece and former Yugoslavia, playing professionally for Greek club Pangrati and helping them reach champion level. Her life took a dramatic turn after falling in love with a criminal who introduced her to the Pink Panthers network. She quickly ascended the ranks, becoming a key figure known for her skills as a thief and leadership abilities. After a heist went wrong, Ćirković was sentenced to eight years in a high-security prison. During her second incarceration, she executed a daring escape from Athens' notorious Korydallos prison, becoming the only inmate ever to successfully break out of the facility. The series will be filmed across Serbia, Greece, and other international locations. Executive producers include Al Morrow, Stewart le Maréchal, Rebecca Banovic, and Jerry Rothwell, with Met Film Sales handling worldwide distribution. United Media is also developing a scripted series based on Ćirković's autobiographical book 'Me, The Pink Panther.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
