How the media landscape is changing in Serbia: Vučić's influence and the fight for media control

Changes at the United Group media group in Serbia have raised concerns about the future of independent journalism and about possible political influence on newsrooms that have reported critically about the rule of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.

At the center of the developments are N1 television and the Nova.rs portal, two of the media outlets that have played an important role in critical reporting on Serbian politics. Changes in their management, departures from leadership positions, and new managerial decisions have prompted reactions within the editorial offices and concerns about maintaining editorial independence.

The crisis has developed at a time when United Group is undergoing significant restructuring, following changes in ownership and leadership. In the process, founder Dragan Šolak has lost his leadership role, while Stan Miller has been appointed to head the company.

Audio recording and suspicions of political influence

The debate over the future of the media intensified after the investigative network KRIK published an audio recording of a conversation between Miller and Telekom Srbija director Vladimir Lučić.

The recording, according to reports, discusses an alleged request by Vučić regarding the removal of Aleksandra Subotic from the company's management, as well as a reduction in the number of employees.

The conversation raised questions about the possibility of political influence on decision-making within the media group.

However, the interpretation of the recording as direct evidence of political pressure has been contested by the parties involved. Therefore, its content and possible responsibilities must be assessed based on the published materials and the statements of the parties.

Editorial staff oppose the ultimatum

Tensions also rose in the Nova.rs editorial office, where journalists faced a short deadline to decide whether to continue working under the new leadership or leave through a financial settlement.

The decision was seen as an ultimatum by employees, who also organized a protest. Despite the reported pressure, almost the entire editorial staff decided to stay on the job.

The changes also included the removal of Mihailo Jovićević from the position of editor-in-chief of Nova.rs, while Marko Stjepanović was appointed editor-in-chief and Ivana Mastilović Jasnić deputy editor-in-chief.

On N1 television, Igor Božić left the position of program director and was replaced by Branislav Shovljanski.

The new management has presented the changes as part of efforts to ensure professional reporting. On the other hand, reactions from journalists have highlighted concerns about the lack of consultation with editorial staff and the impact the restructuring may have on editorial autonomy.

Incident with journalists adds to concerns

The debate over journalists' working conditions was also accompanied by an incident at the Bristol Hotel, where N1 journalist Ana Novakovic and Nova.rs journalist Jovan Mladenovic were confronted with a situation during which, according to reports, one of them had their phone confiscated and was asked to delete the recording. The journalists were held for about an hour.

The Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS) condemned their treatment.

Meanwhile, the Adria News Network, which includes N1, Nova, Radar and Danas, has been created. The future of these media outlets and how the editorial offices will function under the new structure remain in the spotlight.

A battle beyond managerial changes

Developments at United Group have opened a broader debate about the relationship between political power, media ownership, and journalistic independence in Serbia.

For critics of these changes, the main concern is whether the reorganization will affect the space given to voices critical of Vučić's government. To determine whether there has been direct political interference, verifiable evidence and clarifications from the parties involved are needed.

What is clear is that the changes in the management of N1 and Nova.rs have caused strong reactions within the editorial offices and have brought the issue of media independence in Serbia back to the center of debate.