It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing away of Dragan Janjic, co-founder and long-time editor of Serbia’s independent Beta news agency, who died on 31 December 2020, aged 65. Our deepest sympathies go out to Dragan’s family, friends and colleagues.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dragan was a beacon of journalistic independence and integrity. In addition to his work as a journalist, he worked selflessly to support his media colleagues through the Nezavisno Udruzenje Novinara Serbije (Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia), which he helped create, the Commission for the Protection of Journalists and by coaching younger generations of reporters.
Dragan was instrumental in Beta becoming one of the most influential news sources in the region. His journalistic excellence and deep understanding of political and social issues helped underpin Beta’s reputation for independence and quality.
MDIF provided its first loan to Beta in 1998 and remained a partner for two decades. With Dragan’s passing, media in Serbia and internationally have lost a valuable colleague and advocate of press freedom, an inspirational professional and person who will be mourned at home and abroad.