The National Working Group against SLAPP expresses serious concern regarding the private criminal lawsuit filed by the company ‘Millennium Team’ against N1 journalist Maja Nikolić. The lawsuit seeks a prison sentence of up to one year for the alleged criminal offense of damaging business reputation and creditworthiness, in connection with an article regarding the purchase of Hotel Jugoslavija and state subsidies.

Of particular concern is the fact that criminal proceedings are being conducted against a journalist for reporting on a topic of undeniable public interest—specifically, the manner in which state subsidies are allocated and the state’s relationship with large private companies. The use of criminal justice mechanisms against journalists for published information and value judgments regarding the expenditure of public funds represents a severe form of legal pressure and can have a significant chilling effect on media outlets and journalists reporting on issues of public importance.

Furthermore, we point out that the company did not request a rebuttal prior to initiating proceedings, which further indicates that the goal of the lawsuit is not to exercise the right to a correction or a response, but rather to exhaust and intimidate the journalist.

This case cannot be viewed in isolation. The company in question has previously been linked to legal proceedings against media outlets and journalists, which are frequently characterized by the public as having the characteristics of SLAPP lawsuits (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). These include high-damage claims against local media in southern Serbia, as well as proceedings against other journalists and editors for reporting on its business operations. Such practice points to a pattern of strategically utilizing the judiciary to burden, intimidate, and exhaust the media and journalists.

The National Working Group against SLAPP recalls that, among other things, criminal lawsuits, threats of imprisonment, bans on practicing journalism, as well as high-damage claims for reporting on matters of public interest, constitute proceedings with the hallmarks of SLAPP, aimed at discouraging critical reporting and narrowing the space for public debate.

We point out that this is yet another in a series of lawsuits with the characteristics of SLAPP, which contribute to the narrowing of the space for free and independent public information. We call upon judicial institutions to examine the circumstances of this case with particular care and to take into account the standards for protecting freedom of expression and the public’s right to be informed. Furthermore, we urge the competent institutions to continue working on establishing effective mechanisms for identifying and preventing SLAPP lawsuits in Serbia.

Protecting journalists who report on matters of public interest is not only a matter of safeguarding the profession, but also of protecting the democratic order and the citizens’ right to know how public resources are being managed.

The undersigned organizations will provide all necessary support to journalist Maja Nikolić and will closely monitor this case.

The National Anti-SLAPP Working Group, consisting of:

Belgrade Centre for Human Rights (BCLJP)

Civic Initiatives

The Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights (YUCOM)

KRIK

Independent Journalists’ Association of Vojvodina (NDNV)

Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS)

Partners Serbia

Slavko Ćuruvija foundation

Association KROKODIL