The complaints are based on leaked conversations that indicate cooperation between BC Partners and the Serbian Government to undermine the two most prominent independent media channels in the country, N1 and Nova S.
As the majority owner of United Group, BC Partners wields ultimate control over N1 and Nova S, two of the few remaining media outlets in Serbia that continue to hold the government to account and that provide space for free, uncensored expression of diverse perspectives. Without this space, freedom of expression would be severely undermined.
Our complaints follow the release of an audio recording from August 2025, in which United Group CEO Stan Miller and Telekom Srbija CEO Vladimir Lučić discuss plans to weaken United Group’s media business in Serbia, and the Serbian President’s eagerness for the company’s CEO to be removed. The recording was published by the prominent investigative journalism organisation OCCRP and later confirmed by United Group to be authentic. Subsequent to the release of this evidence, BC Partners has taken further steps which suggests it remains committed to dismantling the channels.
We are deeply alarmed by these developments and view the defence of said channels as an urgent and national priority. The protection of independent, professional and pluralistic media is inextricably linked to the freedom of expression: a value firmly upheld by YIHR, and one central to UK values. We therefore believe that UK regulators must investigate these allegations and address concerns that a British company may be complicit in eroding critical democratic institutions in Serbia.
Director of YIHR, Sofija Todorovic said:
Every day, students, journalists, civil society organisations and citizens in Serbia stand up to fight for their rights. Freedom of expression is central to this cause. Without independent platforms, such as N1 and Nova S, public discourse would be dominated by state-controlled narratives, while critical voices – including those advocating for justice, human rights and transparency – would be entirely marginalised.
We rely on the UK’s longstanding commitment to upholding these values globally and we call on UK regulators and other responsible institutions to take immediate action: investigate the allegations, hold those responsible to account, and stand publicly with Serbian citizens to uphold independent media and democratic values.
The complaints were filed on Monday 6 October 2025. Together with a group of civil society organisations and media organisations (Slavko Curuvija Foundation, Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA), SHARE Foundation, Civic Initiatives, Association of Online Media (AOM), Independent Journalists’ Association of Vojvodina) YIHR has also sent a letter to BC Partners’ investors, informing them of said concerns and calling on them to disassociate should the company fail to meaningfully address and engage with the issue.
We are calling on anyone who has information relating to this situation to contact us and help us to preserve media independence in Serbia. You can contact us by email: [email protected].
