Women Press Freedom denounces aggression, calls for prosecution of perpetrators

Location: Montenegro, Bijelo Polje
Date: April 14, 2024

TV Vijesti journalist Alisa Hajdarpašić faced multiple forms of intimidation and harassment while covering the arrest of a former intelligence official. She was pushed, insulted, and obstructed by citizens, allegedly at the direction of local government officials. Such aggression towards a journalist performing their duties is unacceptable. Government representatives must protect press freedom and ensure the safety of journalists, not incite violence or harassment against them. Women Press Freedom commends Alisa Hajdarpašić for reporting the incident to the police and urges a swift investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible.

Read latest reports from the globe

On April 14, 2024, Alisa Hajdarpašić, a reporter for TV Vijesti, covered a police raid at the house of Zoran Lazović in the village of Orahovica, Bijelo Polje. During her reporting, Hajdarpašić faced significant harassment and obstruction from several citizens present at the scene.

Hajdarpašić, an award-winning investigative journalist, reported the hostility to the police. According to her statement, a person persistently followed her and attempted to prevent her from filming, despite her identifying herself and showing her credentials upon arrival. She was physically pushed and obstructed from recording the police action with her phone and insulted with gender-based derogatory terms.

Hajdarpašić informed the police that Vladan Kovačević, a local official, encouraged the residents to surround her. She also accused Sakib Čindrak, the president of the Bistrica local community, of pushing her to prevent her from completing her work. As Hajdarpašić was leaving the scene, people shouted further insults at her, exacerbating her distress.

 She provided the police with several pieces of evidence, including a video recording of the harassment and medical reports documenting the stress and fear she experienced.

Hajdarpašić was assigned to cover the police raid in Orahovica, specifically in front of the family home of Zoran Lazović, a former intelligence sector official who was arrested that day on orders from the Special State Prosecutor’s Office.

Women Press Freedom condemns the harassment, assault, and obstruction of Alisa Hajdarpašić while she was trying to report on a story of public interest. We express alarm that local officials reportedly spearheaded the aggression and called for legal repercussions for their behavior. The Montenegrin police must conduct a swift and transparent investigation of the incident to ensure justice for Hajdarpašić.

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.