« The streets that were mine, become an unsafe place for me »: Why do scientists in Serbia pay for public speech? – Society

In the last few years, the gallbladder was kept on domestic terrain about whether it was safely exploiting lithium from the Jadar valley. Also, from falling the canopy with Novi Sad in November last year, which links of the state system have gave to the point that the consequence of the killing 16 people.

The scientific community had a lot to say about both problems. But if these conclusions were contrary to the attitudes of the ruling current, the tabloids would have a lot to say about the scientific community.

On the topic of Lithium, Dr. Dragana Djordjevic, scientific advisor at the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, and Aleksandar Matković, and a scientific associate of the Institute of Economic Sciences in Belgrade, found themselves among the lines of exploitation. Consequently, their names were found in numerous headings of regimen tabloids. They are accused that « false environmentalists », « fanatics », « protest leaders », and almost every text « enriched » is personal data with premises of derogatory epithets.

On the other hand, the decank of the Nis’s Faculty of Philosophy, Natalija Jovanović, except that is targeted due to the explicit support for student requirements and blockages, it also experienced a life-risked physical attack. During the protest « under the science », one woman attacked her with her knife, and cut her hand on her.

All this opens questions about the limits of freedom of expression, protect personal and professional integrity, as well as the role of science in our society. How safe is it to deal with science in Serbia? How the ruling regime perceives, accepts or accept scientific ideas, and does scientists need to stay safe?

As our newspaper explains Aleksandar Matković, targeting and threats for the target are most difficult at psychological level, especially because it is inevitably set in an intimacy of a person, which attack is directed.

« I wondered a couple of times I’m still welcome in this country, I’ve been doing something Illegally. I’ve used publicly available sources, Apr … Is that the reason to be replied to someone? And if that country we live in and why He invests in science, if she remains violent means of the whole thing, I think that we can stay in society and more and more to fight, to defend soccer and state forces, « says our interlocutor.

Scientists who are targeted agree that attacks, in fact, part of a broader campaign conducted by this authority over the scientific community.

« If she looked at the last six-seven months, in addition to my case, and the discredit of EIGHT scientists, the arrest of Scientists and scientists who criticized the complex physical and ideological discrediting of our scientists. Not to mention Portals like Kopacemo.com, « Matkovic reminded.

That no one is pleasant when the tabloids are targeted by Dr. Dragana Djordjevic. Still, she says, that the common target of regime did not affect her teaching, and as he adds, he doesn’t really read all the texts in which her name is passed, because it does not follow the worship media.

« It is obvious that this mode does not need to be obedient people who do not think about their heads, and it is easy to propagande media, and not thinking that they see what is not good, » Drjordjevic concludes.

On the other hand, Dean from Nis Natalija Jovanovic, says that the streets of their city are no longer moving alone.

« Colleagues don’t let me out of sight more. I feel quite insecure, endangered, disturbed. I’m not feeling well from the apartment. And that fear of my colleagues and family, » she explains.

As he adds, since the targeting and attacks started, it completely changed the world, ie everyday life.

« The streets that have always been my suddenly become difficult, no attacks will prevent me from continuing my fights behind I stand by. The main strength is given by the family, colleagues, » Jovanovic is determined.

It is unshakable in the decision that, despite threats, her voice still hears publicly. Because as he says, regardless of the circumstances, she never told her thoughts that
Due to the pressures, he pulls out of public space.

« All the tabloids write is an absolute lie. I know it all the time and I don’t know what I need to retire. We need to find the strengths to fight to the end and to be an example » Interviewer.

Like Djordjevic and Matkovic, attacks on the Jovanovic’s scientific community see as a designed strategy for discredit scientific thought, by people from the top of the state.

« Everything arrives from » Kitchens « those in power. And that scientists would feel safer and safer in our country, a lot of changes needed. In the first place, we must be institutionally sure, that regulations are not made overnight and do not change laws. Not to target individuals, not to collapse the integrity of individual scientists, and then the integrity of the institution in which they work. Obviously, the state colleges are very bothered by someone, because we have dealt with a certain level in the academic community. It is clear that the one who ends the State Faculty, behind it, is the quality, and now everything is done to be annulled, « said Professor Jovanović.

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