Serbia's Government 'Has to Respect Media,' Investigative Journalist Says

The head of a Serbian investigative news outlet being attacked for its work uncovering corruption says his country needs to do more to protect media. 

During a visit to the U.S., Stevan Dojcinovic, editor in chief of the Crime and Corruption Reporting Network (KRIK), met with journalist rights organizations and investigative outlets to discuss recent attacks on his news website and the overall situation for press freedom in Serbia.  KRIK has been subject to a smear campaign by pro-government media as well as some politicians in recent months, who falsely accuse it of having links to the head of an organized crime group. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his culture minister have both called for an end to the harassment, with Vucic saying "no one has the right to threaten journalists."