‘PEN International stands in solidarity with Nenad Kulačin and fellow independent writers and journalists in Serbia, who find themselves systematically harassed by public officials and pro-government supporters when expressing dissenting views. The situation in Serbia is at breaking point. It is high time the authorities put a stop to all attacks against writers and address such threats instead.’

- Ma Thida, Chair of PEN International’s Writers in Prison Committee

06 September 2024 – Mounting smears and threats against journalist Nenad Kulačin by Serbian public officials and pro-government tabloids must end at once, PEN International said today, amidst a sustained onslaught on independent voices in Serbia. PEN International urges the Serbian authorities to hold all those responsible to account, and to abide by their national and international obligations to uphold the right to freedom of expression.

PEN International expresses grave concern over the continued harassment of Serbian journalist Nenad Kulačin, who has been targeted by pro-government trolls and public authorities for years. The latest smear campaign against Kulačin started in July 2024, following the publication of a column in the independent daily Danas, in which he denounced attacks against a fellow journalist who had spoken about the son of Serbia’s President, Aleksandar Vučić. A coordinated campaign by pro-government outlets ensued – including by the privately-owned, leading commercial station Pink TV –– which falsely claimed that Kulačin had called for Vučić’s son to be doused in sulfuric acid. Former Serbian prime minister and current speaker of the Serbian National Assembly, Ana Brnabić, subsequently accused Kulačin of calling for Aleksandar Vučić to be killed. Kulačin submitted a complaint to the Press Council of Serbia, which, in an opinion consulted by PEN International, unanimously concluded on 25 July that pro-government tabloids had deliberately distorted his column, highlighting the risks such smear campaigns posed for the safety of journalists in the country. Kulačin told PEN International he received several threats via social networks and that his mailbox had been carved with the letter X.

Nenad Kulačin is the co-host of the Dobar, Los, Zao podcast (The Good, the Bad and the Evil), with writer and honorary PEN member Marko Vidojković. Kulačin and Vidojković have been receiving threats for years on account of their work and independent views, with politician Aleksandar Šapić notably threatening to ‘rip out [their] hearts’. Already in October 2021, Kulačin’s mother was verbally attacked by an unknown individual who told her that her ‘son should be hanged’. Kulačin’s home address was disclosed in November 2022, also by unknown individuals. The journalist told PEN International he reported ten threats to the Prosecutor’s Office in 2023 alone. Only one investigation has been opened to date, and subsequently dismissed.

As documented by PEN International, the situation for freedom of expression in Serbia is at breaking point. Public officials routinely harass and smear outspoken journalists in public fora, contributing to an atmosphere of fear and impunity for verbal and physical attacks. Distrust in the police and the justice system prevails, with inefficient investigations into cases of threats and attacks. Many writers feel they have no choice but to self-censor. PEN International calls for an end to the continued harassment and targeting of Nenad Kulačin and fellow independent writers and journalists in Serbia, and for all those responsible to be brought to account.

Additional information

Nenad Kulačin, born on 3 January 1970, is a journalist from Serbia, who focuses on societal and political issues. Kulačin started his career in 1996 with the daily newspaper Naša Borba, before joining the Serbian-language newspaper Vesti in Frankfurt and editing the weekly Standard. Kulačin also worked for broadcast media, notably acting as editor-in-chief of RTV Šabac.

Kulačin has been co-hosting The Good, the Bad and the Evil podcast since 2017. He currently works as a columnist for the daily newspaper Danas and for Al Jazeera Balkans.

For more information about the situation for freedom of expression in Serbia, including threats and harassment faced by independent journalists, writers and activists, please see Toxic Narratives. Silencing Expression in the Western Balkans, a report by PEN International drafted in collaboration with PEN Bosnia and Herzegovina, PEN Kosovo, the Montenegrin PEN Centre, and Serbian PEN.

For further details contact Aurélia Dondo, Head of Europe and Central Asia Region at PEN International: [email protected]