Am I an evil that needs to be removed? A new series of threats and insults for Jelena Jovanović, she asks for help from the authorities

For years I have been subjected to continuous targeting, slander, misogynistic insults and target-painting for my journalistic work. This is no longer a criticism, nor a polemic about my work, which people have a right to. This is a systematic campaign in which I am trying to present myself as an enemy, a criminal, a traitor and an evil that needs to be eliminated.

This was said by a journalist from "Vijesti". Jelena Jovanovic, after another series of threats and insults on social media, for which she filed a report with the police, namely the Podgorica Basic State Prosecutor's Office (ODT).

The inspirer of the new campaign against the organized crime researcher was once again a person with the profile of "Niko Kater", who, among other things, stated that she was a traitor to Montenegro, a member of the Skaljar clan, but also a disgrace to journalism.

Then his like-minded people lined up, calling the award-winning journalist the most derogatory names and accusing her of "slandering families" with her articles.

"Only she knows how much malice there is in her, a snotty, slimy snotty, an associate of the Skaljar clan. How many honest people she has slandered and young men sent to their deaths with her texts. May God judge her in the end as she wills," he wrote. Krsto Kukuličić, for whom that is not the only offensive comment.

Certain Milan Djukanovic then states that it is a Montenegrin journalist who "hates her origins", while Zeljko Prelevic calls to say "which clan bought her two apartments".

Jovanović told the prosecutor's office that she recently participated in a show where she said that she could not and would not reveal sources related to Sky Communications, which was the reason for "Niko Kater" to open a hate campaign on Facebook.

"Jelena has buttered her head, she won't say who is providing her with the information! Of course we all know who it is and that his head is buttered too," was the initial comment, followed by new ones with threats and insults.

And after Jovanović reported the case, the orchestrated hunt continued - a user of that network with the nickname The But He wrote: "Many of these people have their own moles! They should be discovered and punished most severely - domestic quislings, and we know how to deal with them."

Due to similar matters, the journalist reported the initiator in early October, or December of last year.

Drawing a target

Emphasizing that this is a systematic campaign against her, Jovanović explains that the consequences of such actions are well known - these posts are regularly followed by comments from people who claim that people are killing because of her, that she is responsible for the deaths of others, that she has "turned families into black" and that society would be better off without her.

"In a country where a journalist was killed, and where two mass murders have also occurred, where dozens of people have been killed, including innocent victims, such messages are not harmless. When you create an atmosphere for years in which one person is presented as the source of all problems, as someone who is killed and suffered because of them, then you consciously encourage an environment in which someone might conclude that a showdown with that person would be justified," she said.

Jovanović therefore called on all those making such accusations to submit evidence to the competent authorities: "If they claim that I am connected to criminal clans, that I work on someone's orders, that I am paid for the texts or that I am responsible for anyone's death, let them prove it to the prosecutor's office. Anything else is brutal slander and an organized attempt at discredit and dehumanization."

She stated that she expects those in charge to look at the entire context of the campaign, because it is not about individual insults, but a pattern of behavior that constantly fuels hatred towards her and creates an atmosphere of lynching.

"Such targeting not only endangers me, but also my family and people close to me. I will not agree to such messages being relativized as 'comments on social networks'. When you continuously present someone as a person who is killing, suffering and ruining the country, then you are not criticizing them - you are drawing a target for them and encouraging others to end your sick desire, to 'put your foot on my neck forever'. After all, let the authorities determine whether this hate speech, incitement, misogynistic comments, publicly labeling me as an enemy, the most brutal insults, accusations and calls for a showdown with me, are truly a deliberate attempt to provoke a feeling in some fanatic that by removing me, some social or political issue would be resolved, or that the country would be 'saved from evil', so that the arrests and murders would stop."

She reiterated that she thinks someone is systematically trying to present her as an evil that needs to be eliminated:

"Obviously counting on a fanatic appearing who will take the message literally. The responsibility for my eventual endangerment will not only lie with the perpetrator, but also with those who have been creating an environment for violence for years."

Think about who is safer...

Jovanović has been the target of threats for years due to his investigative work on organized crime, corruption, and controversial businesses in Montenegro.

Due to the assessment by security services that her life is in danger, she has had police protection for years.

The trial against Andrija Laković, accused of threatening a "Vijesti" journalist, recently began in the Podgorica Basic Court.

The Basic State Prosecutor's Office (ODT) in Podgorica charges him with threatening Jovanović on September 13 last year, via an SMS message sent from a number in Bosnia and Herzegovina, thereby endangering her safety.

The message the journalist received, among other things, said to consider "who is safer", with the statement that her security is paid for by the state, while the sender "pays for his own".

"The state pays for your security, and I pay for mine. So think about who is safer, me or you. I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, but I see you want to be," the message read, among other things.

Jovović: Even cowards can cause serious consequences

Editor-in-Chief of "Vijesti" Mihailo Jovović said that journalist Jelena Jovanović is not alone and that the editorial team stands by her after a new series of threats, insults and targeting on social networks.

"Jelena Jovanović is not alone. The editorial staff of 'Vijesti' proudly stands behind her, while there is no courage behind such attacks, but either an organized crowd of keyboard warriors or criminals who are affected by what Jelena writes every day. Some of them are anonymous, but some are not," said Jovović.

He assessed that these were cowardly acts, but that such attacks could also cause serious consequences.

"Therefore, their messages should not be treated as mere outbursts on social media, but as part of an atmosphere in which attempts are being made to endanger Jelena's dignity, safety and life because of her professional work," Jovović said.

He called on the police and prosecutors to show that they understand the danger posed by such campaigns.

"We are not asking for privileges, but for the implementation of the law. Whoever targets journalists and threatens them, inciting violence, must answer to the institutions of this country - by name and surname," said Jovović.

He added that free journalism will not be silenced by those who threaten "from the stench of the pack."

"Everyone knows that 'Vijesti' has never left its journalists to fight alone against such abominations and threats to their safety. We don't want Jelena either," said Jovović.