Following traces of Phantoms
I thought that "media blackout" was just another overused term lately in Serbia. However, after I came back from a protest the other day, I couldn't find any news of it on TV. Later, when I came across a news report covering the protest on local TV channel "Studio B", I realized that the term is popular for a reason.
Protests have been occurring in Belgrade now for two years, organized by the initiative Ne da(vi)mo Beograd [Don't give away/drown Belgrade]. Since protests are either ignored or deceptively covered by the local national media, I felt the need to record events on streets.
Banners
Controversies about the number of protesters
Marka Žvaka and people counting
The media's persistent denial of protests escalated on social networks, which is the only place where this civil expression of dissatisfaction can exist while maintaining anonymity. Eventually, the media was forced to report on the protests as they grew, but it always denied their true scale. On top of that, the well-known internet and YouTube duo Marka Žvaka released a video which literally refers to people counting. Pictures and videos mocking the ridiculous coverage of the protests by the so-called "Public Service" and other national and local TV channels can be found all over internet and social networks under the hashtag #cijigrad [whose city].
Following traces of Phantoms
Take a look at one of the ludicrous news reports on protests. I specifically chose this shameful and malicious report by TV Studio B. All photos on this page are from the exact protest, held on the anniversary of the demolition in Hercegovačka street by so-called "Phantoms".
According to Studio B, there were only a few hundreds of protesters. The photo they broadcast shows only a small group of people, but I was there, and as my photos here demonstrate, the reports were deliberately falsified. Judge for yourself.
Thank you.
