A delegation of international media freedom organizations will undertake a joint mission to Serbia on 26–27 March 2026 to assess the state of press freedom and the safety of journalists.

The mission is organized by partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and the Council of Europe Platform for the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists. It comes at a time of increasing concern over media pluralism and rising pressure on independent journalism in the country.

Recent developments, particularly nationwide protests following the Novi Sad tragedy on 1 November 2024, have intensified scrutiny of the environment in which journalists operate. These concerns have been documented in the 2025 Europe Press Freedom Report and the 2025 MFRR Monitoring Report, both of which highlight a pattern of threats, attacks, and structural challenges facing the media sector.

The delegation will build on a previous solidarity mission conducted in April 2025 and aims to engage with a wide range of stakeholders. Meetings are planned with journalists, public officials, civil society actors, international organizations, and diplomatic representatives in Belgrade.

Key issues on the mission agenda include violence against journalists during protests, the misuse of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), and ongoing concerns about impunity in cases involving murdered journalists. The delegation will also examine broader systemic challenges such as media capture, the independence of regulatory authorities and public service media, alleged spyware surveillance, and increasing digital threats targeting journalists.

Preliminary findings from the mission will be shared during a press conference on 27 March 2026 at 14:00, held at the memorial of murdered Serbian journalist Slavko Ćuruvija in Belgrade.

The mission brings together representatives from a wide range of prominent international organizations, including ARTICLE 19 Europe, Committee to Protect Journalists, European Federation of Journalists, European Broadcasting Union, International Press Institute, and Reporters Without Borders, alongside several other partners committed to defending press freedom across Europe.