The Nova.rs Nova.rs and Nova daily newspaper are joining the initiative of our colleagues from our sister outlets N1 and Nova TV to suggest the purchase of our newsrooms from United Group under market conditions and with the financial support of credible external investors, Nova.rs said on Friday.
“Why this step, and why now?
“As our colleagues from N1 have already pointed out, following changes in the management of United Group, the public has been informed that people outside the company — specifically the President of Serbia and the executive branch, as well as Telekom director Vladimir Lučić — could become involved in deciding the future of United Media’s outlets. The President himself stated back in February this year that United Group had failed to secure financing and that journalists would be laid off in November.
“Given that November is precisely the period when final budgets are set for the upcoming year 2026, as well as long-term budgets for the next five years, it is high time this issue was resolved.
“Therefore, as in the case of N1, we propose implementing a management buyout — that is, the purchase of the Nova.rs portal and the “Nova” newspaper from United Group.
“Our goal is clear: to ensure the institutional protection of editorial and journalistic independence of these media outlets on sustainable principles, in line with the best European practices. In such a scenario, the newsroom leadership would assume both responsibility and corporate governance, thereby preventing any political or business interference in editorial policy.
“We owe this — to our readers, whose number is counted in the millions; to our colleagues, journalists, editors, photojournalists, and video editors; and finally, to the public, which has remained loyal to us over the years. We do not wish to lose their trust or commitment.
“We want to continue working according to sustainable, fair, and professional principles, with transparent company ownership — that is, of our media house,” the statement said.
The statement was signed by Ranko Pivljanin, editor-in-chief of Nova daily newspaper, and Mihailo Jovicevic, editor-in-chief of the Nova.rs portal.
Source: N1
