Pro-government campaign against student protests attempts to justify repression in Serbia

of Article on Vidovdan Protests in Belgrade The June 28, 2025 protest in Belgrade on Vidovdan holiday represented the culmination of public discontent with government policies, attracting approximately 140,000 people who demanded responsible governance, snap elections, and institutional reforms. While protesters advocated for democratic values, anti-corruption measures, and institutional accountability, pro-government media employed manipulative tactics to delegitimize the movement by labeling participants as "blockaders," "hooligans," and "terrorists," and falsely portraying them as violent threats to national security. These media outlets constructed narratives linking protesters to foreign enemies (particularly Croatia) and sensitive national issues like Srebrenica, despite independent reports confirming the largely peaceful nature of the demonstrations.