The International Press Institute (IPI) said on Thursday that there is growing concern over the takeover of the Adria News Network (ANN) by the investment firm which owns Euronews and its potential impact on independent journalism across the Western Balkans.
“The sale of Adria News Network (ANN) to Portuguese-owned Alpac Capital poses a number of questions over transparency, funding sources, and the impact on press freedom — all of which should be answered before any regulatory green light is given. The acquisition is one of the most significant for the Western Balkans in years and would see a change in ownership for many of the most important sources of independent news in the region — including N1, Nova S, Vijesti, Danas, and Radar,” a statement said.
It said that the media outlets are being “sold to an investment body whose leadership have well-documented ties to former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and which has previously faced criticism over the opacity of its funding sources”. “Although official regulatory approval of the deal has not yet been completed, Aplac’s CEO has already been registered as the new director of some ANN media titles*…
Ahead of any regulatory approval of this deal in Luxembourg, where ANN and United Media are registered, it is essential that full transparency is provided by Alpac and its European Future Media Investment body on the sources of capital involved in the acquisition,” IPI said.
*N1 removed a part of a sentence from the IPI statement that was incorrect.
Source: N1
