Balkan Network for Civil Society Development: Journalists in Serbia additionally affected

(Patria) - The Balkan Network for Civil Society Development (BCSDN) stated that the pandemic of the new coronavirus has led to a pronounced crisis of democracy in the Balkans and that the measures applied by the countries of the region during the crisis were not always proportionate to the threat. They assess that journalists in Serbia have been additionally affected under the state of emergency.

Although states in the fight against the pandemic are forced to take stricter measures to prevent the spread of the infection, limiting some of the guaranteed human rights, it is necessary that these measures be proportionate to the threat for which they are introduced and in line with international standards and conventions, the network of 14 non-governmental organizations stated.

The BCSDN analysis states that all Balkan countries have introduced restrictions on movement and gatherings and distancing measures, and that the scope of restrictions on freedom of movement was gradually increased as the number of people infected with the coronavirus grew in each country.

"It is concerning that the long duration of the curfew prevented field work of activists from the non-governmental sector, which is a particular problem for those delivering aid to vulnerable groups, hard hit by the crisis," the text states. BCSDN states that the measures introduced by Serbia to preserve the health of the population, although extremely restrictive, appear to meet the conditions set out in the European Convention on Human Rights, as they contribute to the achievement of a legitimate goal.

"However, there is expressed concern that there is no adequate justification for the applied measures, as well as about the unclear period of their duration," the analysis reads.

It is stated that the measures include border closures, a curfew, and a ban on those over 65 leaving their homes.

"The President of Serbia has been accused of declaring a state of emergency in a controversial manner, without a constitutional basis, based on which he assumed full control over the state, while the work of parliament was suspended due to the pandemic. A group of activists launched an online petition against, as they stated, the president's abuse of power and reduction of basic human rights," BCSDN writes.

The network adds that many states used the extraordinary circumstances caused by the pandemic "as a justification for introducing censorship or other disproportionate restrictions on freedom of expression and information."

"Under the pretext of fighting the spread of fake news that causes panic, measures have been introduced across the Balkans that include fines and arrests, with negative consequences for the work of the media and journalists, as well as citizens' rights to freedom of opinion and criticism on social networks," the text states.

As a negative example for Serbia, the soon-withdrawn decision on centralized publishing of information related to the coronavirus pandemic is cited, which provided for fines for local media and individuals who would publish such information without authorization.

"Within this decision, a framework for prosecuting inconvenient journalists was established, and immediately after its adoption, the arrest of journalist Ana Lalić occurred. She was placed in 48-hour pre-trial detention on suspicion that she might repeat the crime of 'publishing texts that cause panic,' after she published a text about working conditions at the Clinical Center of Vojvodina," the text states.

Although the media during the pandemic have a key role in improving knowledge and awareness of health issues, and informing the public about topics related to the crisis situation, journalists in many Balkan countries have been attacked or prevented from doing their job, for example, by banning attendance at government press conferences, which represents not only a direct violation of media freedom, but also the right of all citizens to access information, BCSDN states.

The network states that the Government of Serbia, under the pretext of protecting journalists from the risk of coronavirus infection, adopted a measure that prevents their presence at the Crisis Staff press conferences and requires sending questions via email.

It adds that "non-governmental organizations reacted, stating that this measure opens the possibility of censorship, arbitrary selection of questions, and avoidance of answers."

The analysis states that independent journalists and media in Serbia are "additionally affected under the state of emergency, since, in the absence of any reaction from the authorities, campaigns against them in tabloids and frequent attacks by the highest state officials and pro-regime media continue."