Serbia: N1’s Jelena Mirković Assaulted at Protest, WPF Alarmed by Rising Attacks on Press
![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615e9c03e618583383cc9786/c71d2994-9935-4a78-b046-abd6edbc9c92/Copy+of+SLAPP.png)
November 27, 2024 - Serbia, Belgrade
![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615e9c03e618583383cc9786/893897d7-c370-4715-b2df-cd0a75331862/JelenaMirkovi%C4%871.jpeg)
Masked men and protesters assault N1’s Jelena Mirković and cameraman Aleksandar Cvrkotić while they were covering a protest in Belgrade. Shoved, struck, and harassed, Mirković called it the worst attack in her decade-long career.
At one point an unidentified man tried to snatch Mirković’s microphone. When asked why, he said it was because she was from N1. The channel has reported these incidents to the authorities, and the Prosecutor’s Office plans to open a case.
This attack shows the dangerous consequences of the smear campaign against N1, led and amplified by Serbia's ruling politicians. N1 and its journalists have been repeatedly insulted, berated, and discredited. Now, they’re being physically attacked while doing their jobs. This is terrifying for reporters on the ground in Serbia and is utterly unacceptable.
Just last week, two women journalists were assaulted during separate protests in Serbia. We are witnessing a dangerous rise in aggression towards the press, fueled by harmful political rhetoric and impunity for attackers. This must stop.
Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Jelena Mirković and her N1 colleagues. We demand authorities immediately identify and prosecute those responsible for these violent attacks on journalists.
Novnarka N1 Jelena Mirković napadnuta je dok je izveštavala sa protestne blokade. Nepoznati muškarac je pokušao da joj otme mikrofon. Na pitanje zašto to radi, rekao je da je to zato što je sa N1.
— TV N1 Beograd (@n1srbija) November 27, 2024
Opširnije 👉https://t.co/2W8JV2lffU pic.twitter.com/A7FgiB2klX
Special operations police violently detain JIN News journalist Öznur Değer after raiding her family home in Kızıltepe, Mardin.
Jahangir has been targeted for her show discussing fake blasphemy accusations used to blackmail people.
WPF strongly condemns the detention of journalist Shahnaz Baylargizi. The latest in the alarming state crackdown on independent media in the country.
On January 30, 2025, police detained Telex journalists Noémi Gombos and Dániel Simor for attempting to question PM Viktor Orbán.
Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the detention of Halk TV journalist Seda Selek.
Journalist and Siirt Municipality Co-Mayor Sofya Alağaş has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison on charges of "membership in a terrorist organization."
Five police officers detained Exitosa Noticias's Fátima Constantino while she was reporting on traffic chaos in Chiclayo.
WPF denounces the Delhi court’s order for police to officially investigate Washington Post journalist Rana Ayyub, potentially leading to further legal action against her.
Gisella Bayona is facing identity theft—imposters solicit money & contacts in her name. Bayona reported the case to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, but no action has been taken.
Medya Haber journalist Eylem Babayiğit detained after a raid on her home in Istanbul.
WPF demands the immediate release of ETHA reporter Züleyha Müldür, detained during widespread police raids this morning.
Police detain 6 Kurdish journalists following raids. Three women journalists Reyhan Hacıoğlu (Van), Rahime Karvar and Necla Demir were later arrested on terror-related charges.
WPF celebrates the release of Palestinian journalists Bushra Al-Taweel and Rula Hassanein as part of the first phase of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire deal.
Palestinian Authority security forces detain Al-Jazeera journalist Givara Budeiri and her cameraperson while reporting live outside Israel’s Ofer prison.
Women Press Freedom welcomes the decision of Paris' anti-terrorism judges not to indict Disclose journalist Ariane Lavrilleux.
Ministry of Internal Affairs issue an arrest warrant for exiled journalist Alesya Marokhovskaya, chief editor of the independent investigative outlet IStories
Russian drone targets journalist Margarita Potapova and her Ukrainian Witness film crew near Zaporizhzhia.
Voice of America reporter Ulviyya Ali has been banned from travel after police interrogation over the MeydanTV case—despite having no ties to the outlet.
WPF strongly condemns the legal harassment of journalist Anna Nini and Press Project publisher Konstantinos Poulis for their coverage of a high-profile trial in Greece.
Israeli airstrike kills journalist and photographer Ahlam Al Nafed while she was walking to Al Shifa Hospital on January 14, 2025.
Police in Mersin beat and obstruct Fatoş Sarıkaya from filming, throwing her press card to the ground.
Mzia Amaghlobeli was detained twice in Batumi—first for posting a strike sticker, then during a protest. She’s now accused of assaulting a police chief, a charge carrying 4-7 years imprisonment
Four men, claiming to be police, abducted the journalist, restrained her, seized her phones, and demanded access to her accounts. She was held for four hours before being released.
Khanum Mustafayeva was barred from leaving Azerbaijan without explanation. Authorities at Baku airport cited a travel ban by the Ministry of Internal Affairs but gave no reasons.
Le Monde journalist faced a wave of online abuse, including sexist and anti-Semitic threats, following false accusations that she intruded on the funeral of a far-right leader - Jean-Marie Le Pen.
Three journalists were physically attacked while covering the tragic stabbing death of a 14-year-old teenager in Evreux.
Greek courts have upheld the conviction of Kurdish journalist Berçem Mordeniz, rejecting her appeal and sentencing her to seven months in prison, which was suspended.
Joanna Barboza was attacked while covering a protest in Zulia. During nationwide protests against Maduro’s re-election, security forces detained four journalists and assaulted six others.
Politician’s reckless rhetoric has fueled a wave of misogynistic and attacks against Giraldo on social media.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom welcome the release of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala from detention in Iran.