"SOS TELEPHONE LINE" FOR REPORTING THREATS MADE TO JOURNALSITS LAUNCHED

4. March 2021.

Belgrade – As of March 1, journalists in Serbia who believe that their security and safety is endangered can report it free of charge by calling up the non-stop available "SOS telephone line" (0800 100 115).

The Government of Serbia said that lawyers with experience in working on cases of violence committed against media workers would answer the phone calls. Journalists will receive from them information on the contacts in the police and the prosecutor's office that is in charge of the region in which those journalists work or where a threat or violent act took place.

If the points at issue are acts that are not prosecuted ex officio, but refer to private lawsuits, journalists will receive information on how to file a lawsuit or they will be referred to the legal support of the journalists' associations, it was said in the statement.

The service was introduced as part of the activities of the Working Group for the Safety and Protection of Journalists, which was established by the Government of Serbia, while “Telekom Srbija” provided the equipment and enabled the coordination with all operators.

“This is the first step in the realization of the planned activities on the protection of journalists and the increasing of their safety. In this way, we will simplify the reporting of threats and attacks and additionally inform and educate journalists about the exercising of their rights, "said Veran Matić, a member of the Working Group.

Source: “FoNet” news agency, “Danas” daily and Coordination Body