A private criminal lawsuit filed by the Serbian company Millennium Team against N1 journalist Maja Nikolić has raised serious concerns among media freedom advocates, who warn that the case may be intended to intimidate journalists reporting in the public interest. The company is seeking a prison sentence of up to one year, accusing Nikolić of harming its reputation over a report on the purchase of the Hotel Jugoslavija and state subsidies. The case has been widely flagged as a potential SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation), raising concerns about the misuse of legal tools to pressure independent journalism. Critics note that the lawsuit was filed without a prior request for correction, suggesting that its purpose is not to seek redress but to burden and intimidate the journalist. The National Anti-SLAPP Working Group further warned that the use of criminal charges against journalists reporting on matters of clear public interest represents a serious form of legal pressure, with a chilling effect on media and public debate. They called on courts to carefully assess the case in line with established freedom of expression standards. Read more here.
Source: Civic Initiatives
