“We are writing to express our deep concern about the state of democratic rights and media freedom in Serbia… Media freedom in Serbia is at a dangerous turning point,” stated British Conservative politician and MP Tom Tugendhat in a letter to UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. He also mentioned the case of pressure on United Media.
Pressure on United Media outlets, including N1 and Nova, has been ongoing for years, but it became more visible and intensified after the Novi Sad canopy collapse and our reporting on the student protests.
In late August, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) published an audio recording in which United Group’s new CEO, Stan Miller, and the CEO of state-owned Telekom Srbija, Vladimir Lucic, are heard discussing ways to weaken television station N1 and other media within United Media, Serbia’s last independent broadcaster.
Since then, pressure on media within United Media has been relentless. Additionally, state officials, ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) functionaries, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic himself regularly target N1 and Nova journalists television channels with national broadcasting licenses.
Tugendhat’s letter is reprinted in full below:
“Dear Yvette,
The UK is currently hosting a summit of Western Balkans countries in London. We are writing to express our deep concern about the state of democratic rights and media freedom in Serbia, and to urge you to raise them at the highest level with the Serbian Government.
In the aftermath of the Novi Sad tragedy, Serbia has experienced some of the largest pro-democracy protests in its history. Serbians have taken to the streets to call for greater democratic accountability, judicial independence and freedom of the press.
In response, the Serbian Government has sought to suppress dissent using increasingly draconian tactics. Orchestrated mobs have attacked protestors. Civil society groups have been targeted. The police raided the offices of NGOs. And the authorities have waged a campaign against independent media outlets and editorial freedom.
Media freedom in Serbia is at a dangerous turning point. United Media, which owns the last independent broadcasters in Serbia, say their reporters face ‘constant harassment, physical attacks and smear campaigns’. Worryingly, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project recently reported that President Vucic and his allies were engaged in talks to weaken these broadcasters, and discussed plans to remove the chief executive who has fought to preserve editorial independence.
The cornerstone of democracy is a free press. Without journalists who can speak truth to power, Serbia’s civil liberties are at risk of decline.
The United Kingdom has a proud tradition of standing up for democracy, media freedom, and the rule of law around the world. We are hopeful that you will build on that tradition, and raise the importance of these fundamental rights and freedoms with the Serbian government over the course of the summit.”
Source: N1
