"Now it is clear that nothing has changed in Serbia since the time of Milošević", is the comment of the representative of the New York Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ) Gulnoza Said regarding the verdict of the Appellate Court in Belgrade in which the defendants Radomir Marković, Milan Radonjić, Miroslav Kurak and Ratko Romić were acquitted. guilt in the murder of journalist Slavko Ćuruvija.
Said in an interview with Voice of America says that it is a very clear message from the authorities that anyone who dares to kill a journalist can go unpunished.
"It is a very dangerous message. The very fact that the case lasted for so many years, with so many delays, had a frightening effect on the Serbian media community. During Milosevic's time, anyone could kill a journalist - especially State Security officers, just for criticizing the government. The media community, which was already very cautious in its reporting, will become even more cautious - probably by applying self-censorship," said representatives of the Committee for the Protection of Journalists.
Resentment over the verdict
She notes that the Committee for the Protection of Journalists has been dealing with the case of the murder of Slavko Ćuruvija for more than two decades, and that she is outraged by the decision of the Court of Appeal.
"Firstly, because of the acquittal, and secondly - because the verdict was passed ten months ago and announced only last Friday." "I have never seen such a level of hypocrisy, as with the Serbian authorities," said Said.
When asked how all this will concretely affect the media sphere in Serbia, bearing in mind that according to the reports of international organizations, the situation in that area is getting worse from year to year, Saide says:
"That's right, the situation is getting worse." The media is under control. Vučić is the one who has the last word. He is trying to establish complete control over reporting in Serbia. A signal has been sent that no dissent, even to the smallest extent, will be tolerated. For Serbia, a country that aspires to join the European Union, this is a very negative development. I hope that the parties in charge of negotiations with Serbia are aware of all this."
