British journalist Brent Sadler is editor and director in charge of N1, Nova S, Danas and Radar. And there the situation is tense. Now Sadler speaks publicly about tricky topics for Vreme
Brent Sadler (75), is an experienced British journalist and Serbian son-in-law. He has been with United Group for a long time, a corporation that owns critical media in Serbia such as N1, Nova S, Danas and Radar.
But Sadler gained importance during the last year. He was recently named “Chief Executive Editor” of the ANN network, which houses the aforementioned media, and was subsequently listed as the director of each media outlet.
And the situation there is not good. There is “tension and uncertainty,” says one N1 journalist. Because of the dismissal of Igor Božić from the head of that television, because of the stories about adaptation or even sale. About “Time” writes exclusively in the new issue which hits newsstands on Thursday (April 23).
Sadler not ‘disaffected’
After several calls, Brent Sadler answered the questions of “Time” in writing. In his answers, he repeatedly points out that the media he is in charge of must be professional and work with due care, but he denies that he is now “dissatisfied” with them.
“By professionalism, for example, I mean a clear separation of news and commentary, use of disciplined language, clear citation of sources, fair presentation of controversial claims and proportionate editorial judgments,” Sadler states and adds:
“I am fully aware of the broader pressures facing independent media across the region. That context is real and shapes how our work is perceived, but it does not change the standards we apply. The distinction between the two is important.”
Officials should answer all questions
Asked about the name-calling by the authorities and the regime media against the journalists he is now the boss of – from being “Ustasha” and organizing a “color revolution” to physical attacks – Sadler states that he takes it very seriously and that no journalist should be exposed to such things because of their work.
When asked if he can change the situation in which government politicians, officials and institutions do not answer questions from the media, Sadler states:
“For me, a more normal relationship in which public officials answer questions from all serious media would certainly be welcome. That would be healthier for the public. What I can ensure is that the media I am in charge of remains credible, disciplined and impossible to discredit as biased.”
He says the government has no influence.
Sadler did not want to comment on the telephone conversation between the leaders of the United Group and Serbian Telekom, Sten Miller and Vladimir Lucic, in which they were heard to be discussing personnel changes in the United Group. Hence the belief that last year’s sale of parts of that group – cable operator SBB and rights to sports broadcasts – is an introduction to some kind of censorship.
“I can clearly say that the decisions within ANN are my responsibility and are made by our own management structures. They are not made on the instructions of the Serbian authorities or any external political or commercial player,” asserts Sadler.
Both editor and director?
When asked if it is not too much for him, a previously well-known war reporter, to still be the director of all those media, Sadler answers:
“I have spent a career not just reporting, but leading large teams in difficult terrain, setting up media operations, managing correspondents and making editorial and organizational decisions under high pressure.”
“Leadership in journalism at the highest level involves structure, judgment, discipline, resilience and clarity under pressure. These are areas in which I have extensive experience,” concludes Sadler.
In “Vremen” from Thursday (April 23), read what Sadler says about the dismissal of Igor Božić, why he asked him to stop the broadcast of the protest in front of the Rectorate, why journalists doubt Sadler’s promises and whether the sale of N1 and other media is being prepared.
Source: N1
