Location: Serbia, Sombor   
Date: May 10, 2022

Journalist Sara Mikić along with her colleague Sava Majstorov face criminal charges over a protest they reported in December 2021. The journalists were accused of organizing an illegal protest and blocking roads in Northern Serbia. If convicted, the journalists could be fined between 100,00 to 150,000 dinars, around 1,400 USD.

On April 12, 2022, Sara Mikić and Sava Majstorov, reporters of local news outlet Soinfo in Sombor, northern Serbia, were charged with organizing an illegal protest and blocking roads in December 2021. Supposedly, the hearing of the case was planned to be seen on May 9, however, the lawyers of the journalists’ requested to adjourn the case for a further date. 

In December 2021, hundreds of environmental activists gathered to protest against new laws encouraging lithium mining in Sombor and blocked the traffic for around two hours. According to the news sources, Serbian authorities lodged a criminal complaint against dozens of activists who participated in the demonstrations.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that Sara and Sava were reporting only the preparations of the demonstrations but they did not link organizing or participating in the protests. If they are convicted, they could be fined 100,000 to 150,000 Dinars (around 1,400 USD). 

Serbia ranked 79 out of 180 countries on this year's World Press Freedom Index of Reporter Without Borders but still ranks lowest among the countries of the Western Balkans.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism denounces Serbian authorities for weaponizing legal proceedings against journalists. We call for an immediate drop of the charges against journalists Sara Mikić and her colleague Sava Majstorov. We reiterate that journalism is not a crime. Members of the press must be free to report without fear of retaliation from the state.

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.

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