World Press Freedom Day 2026: Serbia’s spiral of violence

4 May, 13:00 CET

To mark the World Press Freedom Day 2026, our webinar will examine the role the European Union can play in responding to Serbia’s deepening media freedom crisis, which has evolved into a self-reinforcing cycle of violence, intimidation, and impunity. Drawing on findings from the March 2026 mission, it will underscore that the situation is no longer episodic but structural, driven by sustained political rhetoric, institutional shortcomings, and the rise of coordinated digital threats.

By situating these developments within a broader European context, the discussion will look at how existing mechanisms have fallen short and where more decisive action may be required. The session is intended to move beyond documentation toward pressure, pinpointing systemic failures and identifying concrete leverage points through which international actors, particularly the EU, can contribute to meaningful change.