At 7 pm today, N1 Television employees and the Coalition for Media Freedom, including the Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (NUNS) and Nezavisnost, will gather outside the building to show solidarity with Igor Božić, who was recently removed from his position as News Director. Igor Božić is currently unassigned pending a final decision on his status by the Management Board.
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its Serbian members in strongly condemning the dismissal of Igor Božić who has worked tirelessly in recent years to ensure independent news coverage, despite mounting political pressure. His eviction which follows the restructuring of the remaining independent newsrooms within United Media Group, under the Adria News Network signals alarming developments for the future of independent journalism in the region.
Prior to the new structure under the Adria News Network, the dismissal of United Media Group CEO Aleksandra Subotić already raised EFJ particular concerns regarding the implementation of a plan to weaken N1 independence, discussed between Stan Miller, the CEO of United Group, and Vladimir Lučić, the CEO of Telekom Srbija. During their conversation, which was disclosed by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and published in collaboration with the investigative outlet KRIK, it was suggested that President Vučić had requested her dismissal in order to weaken N1.
Shortly after Aleksandra Subotić’s dismissal, and the announcement of the new structure, EFJ sent a letter to BC Partners to inquire about concrete plans to preserve N1 and the other media outlets from political interference. In response to our requests, we met ANN Brent Sadler during a mission to Belgrade with partners from the Council of Europe Platform to Protect Journalists and Media Freedom Rapid Response.
Igor Božić’s removal clearly contradicts ANN Brent Sadler’s stated intentions to preserve N1 from political interference and build trust among the employees, who have been feared over the past months for their positions and the future of their newsroom.
“At 7 pm today, N1 journalists and media workers will gather outside the building in solidarity with Igor Božić. We fully support this show of solidarity with Igor Božić and all newsroom employees who have bravely continued to provide independent news in the face of smear campaigns amplified by state officials and pro-government media outlets, as well as daily threats to their lives. We once again call on BC Partners and the Adria News Network to uphold their commitment to defending the editorial independence of N1, beginning with abstaining from political dismissals,” stated Maja Sever, President of the EFJ.
Here is the letter that the EFJ sent to BC Partners on behalf of its affiliates on 9 March.
Source: EFJ
