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  2024 PRESS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT

WORK OF THE COMPLAINTS COMMISSION

From the beginning of January to the end of December 2024, the Press Council received 88 complaints, which is fewer than the previous year when 125 complaints were received. The majority of complaints (47) were submitted by citizens (individuals), 23 by organizations and institutions, 12 by members of the Complaints Commission, five by religious communities, and one by a national council of a national minority.

Six complaints were resolved through mediation, 15 were dismissed for not meeting formal requirements (most often because the complainant was not personally affected), and the Commission decided in only four cases that the Journalists’ Code was not violated. In nearly all cases where a violation was found, multiple provisions of the Code were breached.

The Commission most frequently found breaches of the chapter on Truthfulness of Reporting (139 times), most often related to the failure to distinguish facts from comments, assumptions, and speculations, and the publication of unfounded accusations, defamations, and rumors. This was followed by breaches in the chapter Journalistic Diligence (91 times), and then Journalistic Responsibility (86 times).

Most decisions were made regarding complaints about the portals “Politika.rs” and “Novosti.rs” (eight each), followed by “Alo.rs” (seven), and “Informer.rs” (six decisions).

“Politika” did not publish a single decision, nor did it respond to any complaint. Another media outlet that neither responds to complaints nor publishes decisions is “Blic,” which had slightly fewer decisions (three).

Complaints submitted from January to December 2024:

  1. Goran Vesić – Nova.rs – public warning issued
  2. Violeta Živkov – Espreso – complainant withdrew the complaint
  3. Dragan Antić – RTV Vranje – public warning
  4. Dragan Antić – Vranjska TV Plus – public warning
  5. Slobodan Petrović – RTV Vranje (I) – public warning
  6. Slobodan Petrović – RTV Vranje (II) – public warning
  7. Slobodan Petrović – RTV Vranje (III) – public warning
  8. Slobodan Petrović – RTV Vranje (IV) – public warning
  9. Slobodan Petrović – Vranjska TV Plus (I) – public warning
  10. Slobodan Petrović – Vranjska TV Plus (II) – public warning
  11. Slobodan Petrović – Vranjska TV Plus (III) – public warning
  12. Slobodan Petrović – Informer.rs – public warning
  13. Nemanja Aleksić – Nova.rs – Code not violated
  14. Jelena Mijailović – Ozonpress – complaint resolved through mediation, comments removed
  15. Milan Četnik – Alo/Alo.rs – Code violated, decision published
  16. Chamber of Public Enforcement Officers – N1 portal – Code not violated
  17. Branko Radičević Elementary School – Kurir.rs – complaint dismissed, complainant not identifiable in the article
  18. Branko Radičević Elementary School – Blic.rs – complaint dismissed, complainant not identifiable in the article
  19. Marko Jumake Mitrović – Kurir.rs – complaint dismissed, complainant not identifiable in the article
  20. Marko Jumake Mitrović – Blic.rs – complaint dismissed, complainant not identifiable in the article
  21. Marko Jumake Mitrović – Pink.rs – complaint dismissed, complainant not identifiable in the article
  22. Marko Jumake Mitrović – Espreso – complaint dismissed, complainant not identifiable in the article
  23. Marko Jumake Mitrović – Srbija Danas – complaint dismissed, complainant not identifiable in the article
  24. Association “Da se zna” – Alo.rs – Code violated, decision published
  25. Milena Vasić – Kurir/Kurir.rs – Code violated, decision published
  26. Milica Karun – Blic.rs – complaint dismissed, complainant not personally affected
  27. Friends of Children of Serbia – Informer/Informer.rs – public warning
  28. Friends of Children of Serbia – Kurir/Kurir.rs – Code violated, decision published
  29. Friends of Children of Serbia – Alo/Alo.rs – Code violated, decision published
  30. Friends of Children of Serbia – Blic/Blic.rs – Code violated, decision not published
  31. Friends of Children of Serbia – Novosti.rs – complaint resolved through mediation, articles removed
  32. Friends of Children of Serbia – Republika.rs – public warning
  33. Friends of Children of Serbia – Telegraf.rs – Code violated, decision published
  34. Friends of Children of Serbia – Srbija Danas – articles removed, apology published
  35. Friends of Children of Serbia – Mondo – article removed, apology published
  36. Friends of Children of Serbia – K1 portal – public warning
  37. Friends of Children of Serbia – Srpski Telegraf – public warning
  38. Nebojša Dimitrijević – Srpski Telegraf – public warning
  39. Jelena Stupljanin – Hello magazine – Code violated, decision not published
  40. Vesna Jerotijević – Glas zapadne Srbije – public warning
  41. Marko Vidojković – Novosti.rs – Code violated, decision published
  42. Marko Vidojković – Politika.rs – Code violated, decision not published
  43. Nenad Kulačin – Informer – public warning
  44. Nenad Kulačin – Srpski Telegraf – public warning
  45. Nenad Kulačin – Alo – Code violated, decision published
  46. Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Novosti.rs – Code violated, decision published
  47. Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Politiks.rs (I) – Code violated, decision not published
  48. Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Politiks.rs (II) – Code violated, decision not published
  49. Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Alo.rs (I) – Code violated, decision published
  50. Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Alo.rs (II) – Code violated, decision published
  51. Jehovah’s Witnesses – Kurir/Kurir.rs – Code violated, decision published
  52. Pavle Kostić – Sportal.rs – complaint dismissed, complainant not personally affected
  53. National Council of the Bosniak National Minority – Novosti.rs – Code violated, decision published
  54. Zlatko Čobović – Informer.rs – public warning
  55. Zlatko Čobović – Alo.rs – Code violated, decision published
  56. Zlatko Čobović – Novosti.rs – Code violated, decision published
  57. Zlatko Čobović – Politika.rs – Code violated, decision not published
  58. Sava Majstorov – 025.rs/24/7 – complaint dismissed, complainant not personally affected
  59. Lokal Pres/Simplicity d.o.o/Glas građana Šumadije/Bujanovačke – Informer.rs – public warning
  60. Lokal Pres/Simplicity d.o.o/Glas građana Šumadije/Bujanovačke – Politika/Politika.rs – Code violated, decision not published
  61. Lokal Pres/Simplicity d.o.o/Glas građana Šumadije/Bujanovačke – Novosti.rs – Code violated, decision published
  62. Bratislav Stamenković – Rešetka.rs – public warning
  63. Vladimir Šeškin – Rešetka.rs – public warning
  64. Aleksandar Kovač – Telegraf.rs – complaint dismissed, complainant not personally affected
  65. Gordana Grujić – Blic.rs – complaint dismissed, complainant not personally affected
  66. Jelena Petković – Blic.rs – Code violated, decision not published
  67. Medin Halilović – SANA Press – public warning
  68. Srđan Nonić – Južne Vesti (I) – Code not violated
  69. Srđan Nonić – Južne Vesti (II) – complaint dismissed, not related to media content
  70. Jehovah’s Witnesses – Pink.rs – public warning
  71. Jehovah’s Witnesses – Srbija Danas – complaint resolved through mediation, parts of articles removed, apology published
  72. Jehovah’s Witnesses – Alo.rs – complaint resolved through mediation, apology published
  73. Jehovah’s Witnesses – Informer.rs – public warning
  74. Milena Vasić – Alo/Alo.rs – Code violated, decision published
  75. Milena Vasić – Informer/Informer.rs – public warning
  76. Milena Vasić – Blic/Blic.rs – Code violated, decision not published
  77. Milena Vasić – Politika/Politika.rs – Code violated, decision not published
  78. Milena Vasić – Kurir/Kurir.rs – Code violated, decision published
  79. Milena Vasić – Večernje novosti/Novosti.rs – Code violated, decision published
  80. Milena Vasić – Srpski Telegraf/Republika.rs – public warning
  81. Jasmina Paunović – Politika.rs – Code violated
  82. Bojana Savović – Politika.rs – Code violated
  83. Aladin Paučinac – Informer.rs – public warning
  84. Aladin Paučinac – Novosti.rs – Code violated, decision published
  85. Aladin Paučinac – Indeks Online – public warning
  86. Dragana Ćendić – Ozonpress – Code violated
  87. Ana Martinoli – Novosti.rs – Code violated, decision published
  88. Aleksandra Paunović – Informer.rs – public warning

 

OTHER ACTIVITIES

 

Monitoring of Daily Newspapers

The Press Council, again this year with the support of the EU Delegation to Serbia, monitored compliance with the Journalists’ Code of Ethics in nine daily newspapers with national coverage during the period from July 1 to December 31, 2024. Compared to 2023, there was neither an increase nor a decrease in the number of Code violations. The monitoring, conducted this time by journalist Vera Didanović and journalist Bjan Cvejić, was presented at a panel discussion held on January 22, 2025. The results showed that the daily newspapers violated the Code a total of 5,978 times across 4,110 articles. As in the previous year, the top three outlets in terms of the number of violations of ethical and professional standards were “Alo”, “Informer”, and “Srpski telegraf”. The most frequent violations of the Journalists’ Code of Ethics pertained to the first chapter – Truthfulness of Reporting. Media often breached this principle in their coverage of domestic political topics, crime stories, and celebrity news.

A particularly concerning trend was the selective reporting on two major waves of protests: the summer protests against lithium mining and the protests in Novi Sad over the demolition of the railway station canopy. These protests were often portrayed negatively, with important facts being omitted. Most media outlets reported favorably on government activities and campaigns, while opposition representatives were frequently targeted with criticism. Numerous smear campaigns were also launched against public figures, with accusations that were often extreme, including public death threats directed at President Aleksandar Vučić.

With regard to privacy protection, the media frequently violated privacy rights in sections devoted to celebrities, while the number of reality TV stories decreased. The trend of massive violations of the Code in “crime sections” continued, with the identities of suspects and victims often disclosed, contrary to professional and ethical journalistic standards. Particularly problematic was the publication of more than 50 reports from funerals of individuals who were not public figures, following the collapse of the railway station canopy in Novi Sad.

 

New Journalists’Code of Ethics of Serbia

The Code of Ethics for Journalists in Serbia represents the fundamental document for professional journalism standards and media self-regulation. It contains key ethical principles, is used in journalist training, and forms the basis for the work of the Press Council. Due to changes in the media environment, particularly the rise of digital platforms and the internet, it was necessary to update the Code, which had been adopted back in 2006. At the end of 2023, a working group of eight leading experts was formed to revise the Code. Over the next three months, nine meetings were held to prepare a draft of the amendments. In March 2024, in cooperation with the OSCE Mission, a visit to Brussels was organized to draw on European experiences in updating the Code and improving the work of the Complaints Commission. Meetings were held there with six organizations dealing with media ethics and freedom of expression, based on which recommendations for amendments were formulated.

In April, the draft of the new Code was presented to the public, and all interested parties were invited to participate in a one-month public consultation and submit their suggestions. A ten-day social media campaign was organized to inform journalists about the proposed changes and encourage discussion. The campaign was repeated toward the end of the public consultation and achieved 16,142 interactions, demonstrating significant interest in the changes. During the consultation, ten proposals to amend the Code were received. The working group reviewed them at two meetings and incorporated the relevant suggestions into the final version of the document. The new Code of Ethics for Journalists in Serbia was adopted by NUNS and UNS at their annual assemblies in June and December 2024. The Complaints Commission has been applying the new Code since January 2025.

 

Case Study: How the Media Reported on the Mass Murders at Vladislav Ribnikar Elementary School, Malo Orašje, and Dubona

 

The Press Council’s research on how the print media reported on the May tragedies was presented to the public on April 30, 2024, ahead of the anniversary of the events. The results point to serious ethical lapses in the way the media reported. Reporting on the mass murders — at Vladislav Ribnikar Elementary School, in Malo Orašje, and in Dubona — can be characterized as dominated by unethical, unprofessional, and low-quality approaches, with a lack of empathy. Rather than focusing on analyzing possible causes of the tragedy and exploring solutions that could support the victims’ families, media coverage was largely reduced to sensationalism and inappropriate content. The public interest would have required that the media provide context to help society understand and prevent similar tragedies in the future, but such editorial approaches were nearly absent in the highest circulation print media in Serbia. Quality and responsible reporting was present in a small number of cases, but it remained insufficiently visible and was not the norm. Differences in reporting styles between media outlets can be explained by differences in editorial policies. However, it was observed that media employing sector-educated journalists, such as Politika and Danas, did not commit the most serious breaches of the Journalists’ Code of Ethics. On the other hand, one of the most serious problems in the reporting was the “leaking of information” from institutions. Unverified and irrelevant information that was not of public interest was often published, further distressing the public. It was also noted that the media focused significantly more on the tragedy at Vladislav Ribnikar Elementary School than on the murders in Malo Orašje and Dubona. Additionally, the majority of articles centered on the underage perpetrator, which experts assessed as extremely harmful. Such reporting can contribute to the retraumatization of survivors, victims’ families, and society as a whole, rather than offering support and aiding the healing process.

 

Additional Guidelines for Reporting Emergency Events


To improve reporting on sensitive topics such as mass murders, domestic violence, and peer violence, the existing guidelines were revised and adapted to media needs. During the year, two experts collected, evaluated, and refined guidelines developed by other professional organizations, after which their compliance with the Journalists’ Code was checked. After this process, an online platform was created containing the revised guidelines, links to full documents, and a feature allowing journalists to contact the experts involved in drafting them.

The additional guidelines cover reporting on children, persons with disabilities, LGBT+ individuals, violence against women, human trafficking, and gender equality. They also address mental health, suicides, reporting from trials, elections, protests, terrorism, mass shootings, and wars. At the end of the project, a public presentation was held on November 18 to familiarize journalists with the platform and ensure easy access to the specialized guidelines. The guidelines were created in cooperation with the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications of the Republic of Serbia.

Exhibition ‘Fake News’


The exhibition aimed at youth and the fight against fake news continued its tour. In 2024, 750 high school students viewed the exhibition in Bečej and Belgrade. The exhibition in Bečej was opened by the president of NUNS. Public classes were held at the Bečej Gymnasium and the Belgrade School of Design, where students discussed media, reporting, manipulation, and the dangers of fake news. Since 2021, the exhibition has been seen by 8,490 high school students.

The exhibition was designed to support the subject “Language, Media, and Culture,” and teachers welcomed it as a useful teaching tool. This year, 70 copies of the “Media Literacy Lexicon” were donated to schools and distributed to students. To enhance interaction with students, the exhibition has an Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/laznevestiizlozba/.

Other Activities


In 2024, the Press Council responded to 104 inquiries from local governments concerning a total of 1,021 media outlets that participated in competitions for co-financing of media content of public interest. In several cases, funds were allocated to media outlets that the Complaints Commission had found to violate the Journalists’ Code multiple times within a year.

To increase visibility of the Complaints Commission’s work, every session was recorded and unedited videos were posted online. Viewership varied depending on the type and attractiveness of complaints and media recognition. In 2024, the session recordings were viewed a total of 1,881 times, or on average, 157 views per session. Since July 2020, when all sessions began being recorded, there have been 8,670 views.

A journalist was also engaged to write six reports from Commission sessions, which were published on the NUNS website, increasing media coverage of the Commission’s activities.

Short segments from session recordings were extracted highlighting specific reporting issues (e.g., revealing children’s identities, the difference between a second side and a rebuttal, the Press Council not dealing with social media posts, and that each media outlet bears its own responsibility). These clips were distributed on social media with an invitation to watch the full complaint session. As the content is tied to thematic areas of the Code, the series was titled “Examples from the Practice of the Complaints Commission” and integrated into a module for online journalist training.

Activities to increase the visibility of the Press Council’s work were supported by UNESCO and the European Commission.

Participation in Public Events


Representatives of the Press Council participated and were speakers at several international and domestic events, including:

– Annual meeting of the Alliance of Independent Press Councils of Europe (AIPCE), London
– Regional meeting of press and media councils from Southeast Europe and Turkey, Istanbul
– International conference on managing digital platforms, Dubrovnik
– Conference “Media Horizons: How to Achieve Transparency, Reliability, and Public Interest?” Podgorica
– Public debate “Ethics in Journalism: Amendments to the Journalists’ Code of Serbia,” Šabac