The Follow the Money investigative news portal said on Tuesday that N1 TV is defying capture with a bid for independence.
“Amid concerns over Serbia’s autocratic government and its tightening grip on the media, the country’s last independent TV channel, N1, is now moving to break away from its parent company, United Group,” the portal said and recalled that N1’s management proposed a deal to United Group’s board to restore full editorial independence. “If approved, N1 and other Serbian outlets could continue operating autonomously. The backers of the plan remain unknown,” it said.
“Our idea is to give BC Partners and United Group an opportunity to leave the market smoothly, because we assume that’s what they want,” N1 editor-in-chief Igor Božić told FTM. United Group has not commented.
If successful, N1’s move would be a rare – and much-needed boost – for independent journalism in the region, FTM said.
Source: N1
