Monday's front page of the Serbian pro-government tabloid Informer renewed attacks on independent news organizations, accusing them of being “liars and racketeers” paid by the European Union and the US.

Threats against independent journalists are fairly common in Serbia. But a recent barrage of online harassment against OCCRP partner the Crime and Corruption Reporting Network (KRIK) – including death threats – raises serious concerns about the freedom of the press in the country.

A front page of Serbian tabloid Informer attacking KRIK

Two contracts, published by the Serbian Center for Investigative Journalism (CINS) on Monday, illustrate how generous a Serbian government agency has been in providing financial aid to a local private TV channel mostly known for running reality shows, telenovelas and “American Idol”-type singing competitions. The highly popular, privately owned TV Pink, watched daily by millions of people in the Balkans, has also been a platform for government-friendly propaganda.