The Nova.rs portal said it had off the record information that the new United Group Serbia management demanded access to information on United Media outlet servers, specifically N1.
UG Serbia CEO Vladica Tintor has prior cybersecurity experience as a manager in the government’s CERT ( the National Center for the Prevention of Security Risks in ICT Systems of the Republic of Serbia). CERT’s role is the “coordination of prevention and protection against security risks in information and communication systems,” which includes communication with the Security Intelligence Agency (BIA), the Ministry of the Interior (MUP), and other state security bodies.
Tintor, who also served as CEO of the state telecommunications body RATEL, drew public attention after the takeover of United Group Serbia last summer when he walked into UG’s headquarters in New Belgrade accompanied by lawyers from the Gecic law firm — a long-standing partners of the state-controlled Telekom Serbia – the day that former CEO Bojana Mijailovic was fired. The change of management and the entry into company offices accompanied by police caused concern among employees of United Media and United Group.
Nova.rs recalled that Tinto built his career in state institutions, rising through the ranks but moving to a private company from RATEL. He also headed CERT from the moment it was set up following amendments to the Law on Information Security. He held that post ex officio, as RATEL CEO. CERT is an integral part of the state security apparatus, which means it works with the BIA, MUP, Defense Ministry and the National Security Council.
While he managed RATEL from 2015 to 2020 Tintor made no decision that might limit Telekom Serbia’s market domination during his term in office when the state-controlled operator grew stronger at the expense of other market players.
Hostile takeover
Djordje Krivokapic, co-founder of the SHARE Foundation, believes there is no conflict of interest in Tintor’s engagement at United Group after holding a state-appointed post, and he has a positive view of what CERT does in Serbia but he has a different view of what the new United Group management is doing. “In my view, this is a hostile takeover and an attempt to establish editorial control from within, through influence from the owners to weaken editorial policy. We do not see the owners supporting the editorial teams or creating conditions for financial independence,” he said.
That has been repeatedly highlighted by the editors-in-chief of United Media outlets in Serbia, who have addressed management several times with requests for clarification regarding future plans for their operations. That concern has grown particularly since OCCRP, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, published a recording of a conversation between Telekom CEO Vladimir Lucic United Group CEO Stan Miller who discussed dismissals in United Media, changes to the company structure, and promises allegedly made to President Aleksandar Vucic.
Nova.rs recalled the parallel campaign targeting United Media’s management and journalists with Nova, N1, Danas, and Radar.
Source: N1
