The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) strongly protests the dismissal of employees at Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) and the pressure exerted on those who publicly express disagreement with the current editorial policy of the Public Broadcaster. We call on the RTS management to immediately stop the retaliatory behavior, the intimidation of employees, and to reinstate the unjustly dismissed workers.

The informal group “naš pRoTeSt” — comprising a segment of RTS employees — announced yesterday that their colleague from the TV production department was fired for protesting live on air during the blockade of the RTS building. Her dismissal was preceded by disciplinary proceedings.

Additionally, three freelance collaborators lost their jobs, as their contracts were not renewed, while other freelancers are reportedly under pressure and fear they may face a similar fate.

IJAS has learned that employees at Radio Belgrade are also being pressured under the pretext that they “damaged the reputation of RTS.” Some were asked to provide written explanations of opinions expressed on air, while others received verbal warnings.

All of them were signatories of an open letter addressed to the RTS management calling for dialogue. Following these pressures, some freelancers withdrew their signatures — a clear indicator of an atmosphere of fear and self-censorship.

We remind the public that RTS Director General Dragan Bujošević stated on the program Oko that no RTS employee who disagreed with the editorial policy and voiced that disagreement publicly had suffered any consequences for holding a different opinion. He also claimed that journalists have the right to say whatever they want without facing repercussions.

He added that only those who obstructed the production and broadcasting of programming were subject to sanctions.

So we ask: if this is true, why have four women lost their jobs, and why is repression being carried out against those who demand journalism that serves the public interest rather than political power?

IJAS calls on the RTS management to immediately end the practice of intimidation and punishment of employees, to demonstrate a willingness for dialogue, to enable professional work in line with the role of a public broadcaster, and to reinstate the dismissed workers. The public service must serve the citizens — not be used as a tool of control and blackmail.