Although a small number of cases have been legally resolved in the past period, journalists
must not be discouraged and should continue to report all types of attacks to competent
institutions and journalist associations. The SafeJournalists Network, on the occasion of
November 2, The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, emphasizes
that without reported threats and attacks, there are no investigations, and therefore no solved
cases. Only by actively participating in the mechanisms at their disposal, journalists can fight for
a better and safer environment.
Journalists are the eyes and ears of democracy, its guardians and the extended hand of
citizens. The role of journalists is essential for maintaining a free and open society. That's why
the SafeJournalists Network calls on the governments of the Western Balkan countries to take
urgent and decisive measures to improve the safety of journalists and ensure justice for all
those who have been victims of their own work.
The Network continues to advocate for the rights of journalists, a safer and more secure
environment for their work, as well as better work conditions. On our improved website
safejournalists.net , journalists can report attacks in the "report incident" section in English and
local languages in Albania , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Montenegro , Croatia , North Macedonia ,
Serbia and Kosovo. In addition, on the same part of the website, information on contact persons
for journalists from the prosecution and the police, where such contact points exist, can be
found.
In 2022, the SafeJournalists Network recorded in its database a total of 187 cases of rights
violations and endangering the safety of journalists (which includes threats to journalists’ lives
and physical safety, other forms of intimidation, actual attacks on journalists, killings, as well as
threats and attacks against media outlets and organizations). Of the total number of cases, 107
were reported to the competent prosecutor's offices and the police. That year, 20 cases were
dismissed by the prosecution, and 21 cases were settled in court.
In 2023, a total of 235 cases were recorded in the database of the SafeJournalists Network, of
which 115 were reported to the competent prosecutors and the police. A total of 11 cases were
dismissed, and 26 were resolved in court proceedings.
By October 31, 211 cases were recorded in the database of the SafeJournalists Network for
2024. The number of cases reported to the police and prosecutor's offices is 89, of which 7
cases have been dismissed, and so far only two have been resolved.
The largest number of cases from all three years are still in the investigation phase.
Unfortunately, in most cases, the perpetrators of crimes against journalists remain unknown and
are in the records of unknown perpetrators until new evidence appears or criminal prosecution
expires.
In the territory of the Western Balkans, in the last 30 years during the war, 110 local journalists
lost their lives. In times without war, five journalists lost their lives, and three of those five cases
were resolved by a final verdict.
See the cases for 2022, 2023 and 2024 by state in the following graphs:
Source and photo: SafeJournalist
