Sources told the Nova.rs portal that Brent Sadler — a former CNN journalist and ex-adviser at N1 — could soon take over as CEO of all media outlets within United Group.
This move, which would be formally signed off by United Group CEO Sten Miller, has reportedly caused serious concern among journalists and editors within United Media, Nova.rs said and added that it is worth noting that Sadler has repeatedly refused comment to N1.
Concerns Across the Region
According to Nova, journalist sources from Zagreb, Ljubljana, and Belgrade warned that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic could get indirect control over some of the most influential independent media in the region. Those concerns have grown, particularly after the European Commission’s 2025 report on Serbia explicitly stated that the Serbian regime continues to suppress media freedoms.
Regional sources believe that this appointment could give Vucic indirect influence over leading media outlets in Croatia and Slovenia — a development that would create a dangerous precedent, Nova.rs said.
The Deal
In September, the OCCRP international investigative news network released an audio recording of a conversation between United Group CEO Stan Miller and Telekom Serbia CEO Vladimir Lucic in which they discussed changes in United Group’s media operations, allegedly referring to a business arrangement between UG majority owner BC Partners’ Nikos Stathopoulos and Vucic. They explicitly mentioned Vucic’s desire for the new United Group management to speed up personnel changes — including the removal of Aleksandra Subotic as CEO of United Media, the owner of record of N1 and Nova.
In response to repeated questions from the public and concerned editors, United Group issued a statement questioning the source of the recording but not its authenticity, and saying that editorial independence remains sacrosanct.
Sadler — Profile and Role
From the start of the crisis within United Group and the removal of people close to the previous management, Sadler has reportedly played a key role in a negative campaign targeting his former employer, Dragan Solak (co-founder and minority shareholder of UG), Nova.rs said.
From interviews to Nacional in Croatia to appearances on Israeli and European media linked to investment lobbies, Sadler has persistently sought to justify the new management’s decisions by attacking N1 and Solak. His efforts have been strongly amplified by Serbian media close to Vucic, which have systematically published Sadler’s statements and interviews questioning the editorial policies of United Media outlets.
If his appointment is confirmed, Sadler’s new position would be a reward for his loyalty and for his role in undermining Solak and United Media’s editorial independence, Nova.rs added.
Buyout as a Way Forward
Amid growing fears that decisions such as Sadler’s potential appointment could completely destroy editorial independence, United Media’s regional directors and editors launched an initiative for a buyout. The goal of the initiative is for staff to take ownership of media outlets such as N1 and Nova, safeguarding editorial autonomy and protecting press freedom from political and corporate pressure allegedly linked to Vucic and the new United Group leadership.
The proposal has been well received by both professionals and the public. Zeljko Bodrozic, president of the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS), praised the initiative. “It’s an excellent initiative — especially because all United Media outlets are acting together. Together we are stronger! Unfortunately, the opportunity to strengthen independent, free media in this country was missed back on October 5, 2000. It’s no surprise, since wherever big capital enters, the focus is on profit, while freedom of expression and independence become secondary,” Bodrozic told Nova.
Maja Sever, president of the European Federation of Journalists, called on everyone who loves Serbia to unite around this cause. “It’s crucial that our colleagues from United Group assess whether there are truly capable and willing to take over these newsrooms. You are a large organization, and this effort requires substantial funding. Still, there are people who love Serbia, and they should come together to ensure the public has access to transparent, independent, and free journalism — or remain in darkness,” Sever said.
Consequences
Appointing Brent Sadler to head United Group’s media operations would mark a complete transformation of what was once a symbol of independent journalism into a regional instrument of political influence.
At a time when the European Commission warns that the Serbian government is systematically tightening its control over the media, such developments raise serious alarm — not only within the EU but among all who believe in the principle of a free press — as Vucic could effectively gain behind-the-scenes influence over media outlets across the region.
Source: N1
