The Belgrade-based Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) NGO said on Monday that it filed formal complaints with several UK regulators calling them to investigate allegations that the British BC Partners investment fund was involved in suppressing independent media in Serbia.
A press release said that the complaints are based on leaked conversations that indicate cooperation between BC Partners and the Serbian Government to undermine the independent TV channels N1 and Nova S.
“As the majority owner of United Group, BC Partners wields ultimate control over N1 and Nova S, two of the few remaining media outlets in Serbia that continue to hold the government to account and that provide space for free, uncensored expression of diverse perspectives. Without this space, freedom of expression would be severely undermined. Our complaints follow the release of an audio recording from August 2025, in which United Group CEO Stan Miller and Telekom Srbija CEO Vladimir Lučić discuss plans to weaken United Group’s media business in Serbia, and the Serbian President’s eagerness for the company’s CEO to be removed. The recording was published by the prominent investigative journalism organisation OCCRP and later confirmed by United Group to be authentic. Subsequent to the release of this evidence, BC Partners has taken further steps which suggests it remains committed to dismantling the channels,” the press release said.
“We are deeply alarmed by these developments and view the defence of said channels as an urgent and national priority. The protection of independent, professional and pluralistic media is inextricably linked to the freedom of expression: a value firmly upheld by YIHR, and one central to UK values. We therefore believe that UK regulators must investigate these allegations and address concerns that a British company may be complicit in eroding critical democratic institutions in Serbia,” it added.
YIHR director Sofija Todorovic is quoted as saying that students, journalists, civil society organisations and ordinary people in Serbia are fighting for their rights every day. “Freedom of expression is central to this cause. Without independent platforms, such as N1 and Nova S, public discourse would be dominated by state-controlled narratives, while critical voices – including those advocating for justice, human rights and transparency – would be entirely marginalised,” she said.
“We rely on the UK’s longstanding commitment to upholding these values globally and we call on UK regulators and other responsible institutions to take immediate action: investigate the allegations, hold those responsible to account, and stand publicly with Serbian citizens to uphold independent media and democratic values,” YIHR said.
The press release specified that the complaints were filed on Monday 6, October 2025. “Together with a group of civil society organisations and media organisations (Slavko Curuvija Foundation, Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA), Share Foundation, Civic Initiatives, Association of Online Media (AOM), Independent Journalists’ Association of Vojvodina) YIHR has also sent a letter to BC Partners’ investors, informing them of said concerns and calling on them to disassociate should the company fail to meaningfully address and engage with the issue,” it added.
YIHR called the public to provide any information about the situation and help maintain media independence in Serbia.
Source: N1
