Expulsion of Marija Šehić from "Juronjuz"

Unjustified dismissal journalists Marija Šehić on TV Juronjuz Serbia represents revenge because she stood up to the trampling of professional standards, pressures and mistreatment of journalists of this media company, since Minja Miletić, regional director, and Dragana Pejović, editor-in-chief, came to her leading positions, it was announced on Thursday Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS).

Journalist Marija Šehić was formally fired by her employer Arena News Channels DOO Belgrade because she "carried out her work duties negligently or negligently" and "violated work discipline", and the real reason is her months-long struggle, together with her colleagues and colleagues from the editorial office, for decent journalism and the right to dignified work, according to UNS.

"This became particularly visible to the public when, on the same day, more than 80 journalists and media workers from this media dissociated themselves from the text 'We call on the authorities to enable the work of RTS' from April 18, published in the name of the editorial office, without its knowledge. The signatories, including Marija Šehić, thus opposed the leading 'duo' without whose consent such a text could not be published," UNS announced.

From the Decision on the termination of Marija Šehić's employment contract, which UNS had insight into, "it is clear that the draconian move, leaving her without a job, is based on other motives, because three situations are cited as the basis, one of which is that she incorrectly stated the functions of two guests in the live program, which she corrected in the same show."

Well, I got fired. https://t.co/77u4Hf2oou

— Marija Šehić (@marija_antic) June 12, 2025

"We remind you that in the previous period, journalists and media workers of Juronujz Serbia were exposed to serious pressures from the editorial staff and management, including censorship, the prohibition of asking questions to the authorities and sanctions for professional conduct. They were openly threatened with dismissal and suggested that they must be loyal to the owner of the media, which threatens freedom of expression and editorial independence. After expressed disagreement with the company's policy, employees suffer retaliation through schedule changes, layoff announcements and attempts to justify technological redundancy." UNS announced.

That journalist association points out that "it is afraid that the management of Juronujz Serbia will continue to deal harshly with journalists and media workers who signed their names on the announcement of April 18 and thus became 'undesirable'".

After the dismissal of journalist Marija Šehić, the employees of Juronjuz Srbija received a letter from editor Dragana Pejović that "from Saturday, June 14, the news will work in one shift on weekends", which for them represents the announcement of new "redundancies" and layoffs.

"We demand that the management and editorial staff of Juronnews Serbia immediately stop practices that threaten the professional integrity and freedom of expression of employees, and that they provide conditions for free and dignified work without fear of repression - including the cessation of pressure in the form of threats of dismissal and disciplinary measures due to conscientious and responsible journalistic work. We also call on them to reconsider their decision to dismiss their colleague Marija Šehić yesterday," UNS announced.