Adria News Network Chief News Executive Brent Sadler told Nova daily newspaper that he did not return to Serbia to see the news desk he helped build destroyed.
He said that structures are in place to prevent outside influence on content adding that he would be the first person to speak out. According to him, N1 TV’s strong and independent journalism is widely recognized.
The management framework is meant to protect editorial decision making from political, commercial or any other outside influence, he said and added that the best protection for any news desk is the quality and consistency of its journalists.
Sadler said he is focused on the consistent implementation of editorial standards, especially under pressure and on keeping things clear. He said his role, his everyday job, is chief news executive, not a reporter or editor, adding that this means making sure editorial standards are maintained, that the news desk has support and protection and the management functions properly. Sadler said he does not take editorial decisions for the individual newsdesks since the responsibility belongs to the editors and journalists in each media outlet.
He said that he is aware of the environment and the pressure on journalists.
Sadler and Wouter van Houwelingen were registered with the Serbian Business Registers Agency, replacing the earlier structure which had just one legal representative and removing News Director Igor Bozic as the sole representative. Sadler said that the administrative changes are only focused on corporate management, legal representation and financial oversight and do not affect the editorial structure, decisions, work processes or the reporting.
The changes caused the N1 and Forbes Serbia union to voice concern.
Source: N1
