Pressure on independent media is intensifying in Serbia. To protect impartial journalism, journalists from N1 and other United Media outlets are attempting to buy out their own media organizations from the investment fund BC Partners, reported the Slovenian public broadcaster RTV Slovenija.
RTV Slovenija visited the N1 newsroom and noted in its report that N1 journalists cannot ignore the latest attack on the country’s key independent media.
“N1 and Nova S operate as outposts of foreign agencies. And that, I guess, is clear to everyone,” said Serbian Information Minister Boris Bratina.
The report also recalls an audio recording released a few months ago of a phone conversation between the BC Partners CEO and the CEO of Telekom Srbija, a figure close to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
Discussions also touched on personnel changes.
N1’s Program Director Igor Bozic says a formal buyout offer has been submitted and they are awaiting a response.
“We actually don’t know what our owners plan to do with our media outlets. So, it is up to the journalists to take the initiative. That is why we launched this initiative and sent a formal offer to purchase our outlets,” Bozic told RTV Slovenija.
Six years ago, BC Partners acquired United Group, a telecoms and media provider, for 3 billion euro. Its current market value is approximately 8.5 billion.
“They are not tied to the media business. So their exit from here, I assume, would not disrupt their portfolio much. But for the public interest, for democracy, and for media independence in Serbia, it would be crucial for these outlets to continue operating in the way they have built trust and credibility with the public,” said Snjezana Milivojevic, a retired professor from the Faculty of Political Sciences.
RTV Slovenija pointed out that N1 has earned public trust through its coverage of protests, its critical stance towards the government, and its investigative reporting, noting that it employs several hundred people.
“This is a fight for free speech and for the jobs of honorable people who do their work with integrity,” Bozic emphasized.
Attacks on independent media particularly intensified in February, when President Vucic publicly announced the dismissal of United Media journalists for November, RTV Slovenija concluded.
Source: N1
