Several journalists have been dismissed and a number of attacks against media professionals have been recorded since wider protests swept across Serbia following a fatal accident at a train station on 1 November Protesters hold Serbia's national flag above a highway during a demonstration in an attempt to put pressure on the government over a fatal collapse of the Novi Sad train station roof in November , in Belgrade, on January 28, The blockade -- which was set to last for 24 hours -- comes just days after student organisers called for a general strike last January 23, that saw work stoppages by lawyers and small businesses along with school closures across Serbia.
In recent weeks, Serbia has been shaken by large-scale protests after the roof of a newly renovated railway station in Novi Sad collapsed on 1 November , killing 15 people. The disaster has been linked to government corruption, negligence and poor construction standards.
The accident has grown into a wider anti-corruption movement, with demonstrators demanding greater transparency and accountability from authorities. In the course of January , NUNS recorded over 30 attacks, verbal threats and incidents of pressure perpetrated against journalists for doing their jobs, either by public officials, police forces or individuals.
In an open letter posted on his Facebook profile, he wrote about how he has been prevented from doing his job. The IFJ and EFJ also point to suspicious dismissals of journalists who had been participating in demonstrations as private individuals.
We urge the Serbian authorities to investigate every single case of attacks against our colleagues. The IFJ encourages the newly formed government to maintain a constructive dialogue with its affiliate SINOS in the negotiations for a new branch collective agreement covering media that will champion equal treatment for all media workers in the media industry. The IFJ represents more than , journalists in countries.
