Dinko GRUHONJIĆ
Dinko Gruhonjić, a journalist, writer, and lecturer at the Faculty of Philosophy of Novi Sad in Vojvodina, northern Serbia, has been facing increased harassment, smears, and death threats since 14 March 2024, following the publication of an edited video in which Gruhonjić was falsely made to appear as welcoming his sharing a name with Dinko Šakić, who was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity in World War II.
On 21 March 2024, unknown individuals painted threatening graffiti on the entrance to Gruhonjić’s residence. That same day, his personal phone number was disclosed, resulting in him receiving numerous death threats. Students who publicly supported Gruhonjić also reported receiving death threats. The coordinated smear campaign and threats continued throughout 2024. For example, in May during a TV interview, Prime Minister Miloš Vučević falsely named Gruhonjić as the opposition candidate for mayor of the city of Novi Sad and claimed he was the main ideologue of the Serbian opposition, placing him at risk of attack. In June, Gruhonjić discovered leaflets falsely portraying him once again as opposition candidate in Novi Sad. PEN International understands that despite a formal complaint being lodged, law enforcement officials had not launched a thorough investigation into the threats by the end of the year. Regional and international press freedom organisations urged the Serbian authorities to hold those responsible to account. PEN International believes Gruhonjić is being targeted on account of his staunch criticism of nationalism and the glorification of war criminals.
Dinko Gruhonjić, born on 15 September 1970, is the author of three books – two on journalism Diskurs agencijskog novinarstva (Discourse of Agency Journalism) (2011) and Hibridni novinarski žanrovi (Hybrid Journalistic Genres) (2021) and one collection of his columns Ničim Izazvana Zbirka (Unprovoked Collection) (2012). He also works as Programme Director at the Vojvodina Association of Independent Journalists (NDNV).