The SafeJournalists Network strongly condemns the sexist and ethnically motivated insults, as well as the threats directed at Bečejski mozaik journalist Kristina Demeter Filipčev through comments on Facebook, and calls on the competent institutions to react urgently, identify those responsible, and ensure the journalist’s protection.
After reporting on the local elections held in Kula on Sunday, journalist Kristina Demeter Filipčev was subjected to a series of gender-based and ethnically motivated insults, as well as rape threats and messages saying that “her house should be blockaded.” Such messages constitute a serious form of online violence, gender-based harassment, and intimidation aimed at humiliating, silencing, and discouraging the journalist from carrying out her professional work.
Comments such as: “Blockade this journalist’s house,” “You are a Ustaša terrorist…,” “Men from Banat came to f**k Hungarian women, they don’t know how to say no,” “Since you write like that, b**ch, post a photo so you can see that I can f**k even freaks…,” “F**k her Ustaša mother,” and “Eat s**t, b**ch…” constitute unacceptable hate speech, misogynistic and nationalist targeting, and threats that must be taken seriously. It is especially concerning that sexualized violence and ethnic hostility are being used as a means of attacking a journalist simply because she was doing her job and reporting on an event of public interest.
The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) will report the threats to the Prosecutor’s Office for High-Tech Crime and expects a swift, effective, and thorough investigation. The absence of a timely institutional response in such cases sends a dangerous message of impunity and further encourages violence against women and men journalists.
We particularly stress that journalists reporting from smaller communities are often exposed to heightened pressure, because they work in environments where they are easily recognized, and the consequences of such targeting are often felt by their families as well. This is why urgent institutional action is necessary in such cases, along with clear public condemnation of all forms of intimidation and online violence.
The SafeJournalists Network once again warns that public officials bear particular responsibility for the social climate in which such attacks are possible. The almost daily targeting of independent journalists and media outlets in statements and public appearances by high-ranking officials contributes to an atmosphere of hostility, fuels hate campaigns, and encourages individuals to view threats and insults as an acceptable way of dealing with the media.
The SafeJournalists Network expresses full solidarity with Kristina Demeter Filipčev and calls on domestic and international actors to closely monitor the institutions’ handling of this case.
Every attack on journalists is an attack on democracy, the public interest, and fundamental human rights.
Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica – Tirana, March 31, 2026
Association of BH journalists
Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Association of Macedonian Journalists
Croatian Journalists’ Association
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Trade Union of Media of Montenegro
The source: IJAS
Foto by: Canva
