Press freedom in Serbia has reached a “dangerous turning point” as independent media outlets face mounting pressure from ministers and state-backed media. Senior editors from the independent United Media group have expressed concerns over the constant harassment, physical attacks, and smear campaigns their reporters face, particularly in the wake of ongoing protests against autocratic President Aleksandar Vučić. This situation has intensified since the collapse of a train station canopy in Novi Sad last November, which resulted in the deaths of 16 people and sparked widespread political backlash against Vučić’s pro-Russia administration.
Civil society groups have been warning of an increasingly hostile environment for independent media since the incident. An open letter signed by five media outlets, including Igor Božić, the news director of CNN-affiliated N1 Serbia, detailed how the government is escalating its attack on independent journalism, particularly targeting outlets within United Media. According to the editors, the government is disseminating false stories that paint independent media as foreign agents and enemies of the state, leading to assaults on journalists, obstruction from official events, and targeted disinformation campaigns.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has highlighted that the pressure on media in Serbia has not been seen since the 1990s, with Serbia ranking 98th out of 180 countries on the world press freedom index last year. This distressing situation has been compounded by financial and regulatory pressures that are deterring advertisers and business partners.
In response to the escalating tensions, the editors have expressed deep concerns for the safety of their reporters, especially with the backdrop of student protests and a dissolved government awaiting new elections. They assert that the growing hostility towards independent media, stoked by government rhetoric, has created an environment where violence is tolerated and even encouraged. The editors have also pointed out that despite clear evidence, the police have failed to hold attackers accountable.
In addition to these challenges, a half-million people have signed an online petition demanding an independent investigation into allegations that security forces used a “sound cannon” during a rally in March. Vučić, facing the most significant threat to his 12-year rule, has been under increasing pressure, and protests have been a frequent occurrence in Serbia since November. Deputy Prime Minister Miloš Vučević has announced the government’s resignation, with Vučić suggesting elections could follow in June.
Protesters are calling for accountability for the disaster in Novi Sad, as well as more transparent and law-based institutions. Over a dozen people have been charged with responsibility for the canopy collapse, and just recently, a teenager died from injuries sustained in the tragedy. The scale of the protests on March 15, estimated to have drawn as many as 325,000 people to the streets of Belgrade, remains disputed by the government. Despite claims of the deployment of sonic weapons, which cause immediate symptoms among those affected, senior government officials and police have denied these allegations, with Vučić labeling the claims as “wicked lies” aimed at “destroying Serbia”.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/23/press-freedom-in-serbia-is-facing-a-dangerous-turning-point-warn-editors
