{"id":20715,"date":"2026-08-25T11:04:26","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T10:04:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yihr.rs\/?p=20715"},"modified":"2026-08-25T11:04:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T10:04:41","slug":"the-takeover-of-media-outlets-in-serbia-during-the-pre-election-period-is-a-red-alert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yihr.rs\/en\/the-takeover-of-media-outlets-in-serbia-during-the-pre-election-period-is-a-red-alert\/","title":{"rendered":"The Takeover of Media Outlets in Serbia During the Pre-Election Period Is a Red Alert"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier this year, we expressed our concern that the sale of the Adria News Network (ANN) to Alpac Capital posed a direct and imminent threat to media freedom in Serbia and the Western Balkans. <\/span><\/p>\n

We warned that this sale would hand some of the last editorially independent news outlets in Serbia, including N1, Nova S, Radar and Danas, under the control of a firm whose existing media holdings have been marked by allegations of censorship, political interference and erosion of editorial standards.<\/span><\/p>\n

When they announced the sale Alpac Capital told the public that the transaction was \u2018subject to the standardised regulatory approvals\u2019 required by law. Any change in control at ANN requires the consent of Luxembourg\u2019s media ministry, and competition regulators in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. None of these clearances have been publicly granted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Days before the letter\u2019s release, Alpac\u2019s chief executive registered himself as the CEO of ANN\u2019s media outlets. The previous directors have been dismissed. Alpac Capital has effectively taken control of independent newsrooms that they have not yet been given permission to buy.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Alpac Capital\u2019s existing record in Serbia has attracted sustained criticism and concern from press freedom organisations. Alpac Capital acquired a majority stake in Euronews in 2022 that was partly financed by Hungarian state capital and companies closely linked to the political networks of Viktor Orb\u00e1n.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alpac Capital\u2019s political connections <\/span>are no secret<\/span><\/a>. President Vu\u010di\u0107 has publicly named the father of Alpac\u2019s CEO as an old friend. The CEO of Alpac\u2019s commercial partner, Telekom Srbija, was previously recorded discussing strategies to weaken N1. The European Parliament warned at the time that \u2018the Serbian Government appears to have been negotiating with the owners of the United Media company to \u2018weaken\u2019 independent media outlets operating under it\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

In an open letter<\/span><\/a> to Alpac\u2019s CEO, the Serbian Minister of Information and Telecommunications endorsed Alpac\u2019s takeover of ANN, and urged him to expose N1 and Nova S to stronger oversight and influence from the Serbian state. He also approvingly sums up what Alpac\u2019s takeover means for the last remaining independent newsrooms in Serbia – their \u2018clinical death\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

The unions representing journalists at Nova, Radar, N1 have condemned the takeover. In a statement, they said they \u2018suspect that things will not stop here, and that changes of editors will follow, with the intention of bringing the remaining independent and professional media into line with the wishes of the current regime\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

The context and timing in which all of this is taking place, particularly given the state of media freedom in Serbia, are especially concerning. We therefore fear the consequences that such a takeover could have for citizens\u2019 right to be informed about topics and issues that do not serve the interests of those in power, particularly during this crucial pre-election period. <\/span><\/p>\n

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That\u2019s why we are kindly calling on:<\/span><\/p>\n

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