EditMedia under siege: Serbia’s democratic pledges questioned amid protests and press suppression
A new report by a local NGO raises alarms about the state of media freedom in the country
Against the backdrop of mass anti-government protests shaking Serbia, a new report has once again raised alarms about the state of media freedom in the country, revealing deep political entanglement, economic manipulation, and a culture of impunity surrounding violence against journalists.
Serbia ranks fourth in Europe for attacks on journalists, following Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey, while political independence of the media is assessed as the highest-risk area, as all national broadcasters are controlled by entities close to the authorities, according to the Media Pluralism Monitor for Serbia, conducted by the European University Institute.
As reported by the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS), the report published in June shows that Serbia registers a high risk in three out of four key areas: market pluralism (71%), political independence (73%), and social inclusiveness (70%), while the area of basic protection falls within the medium-high risk category (60%).
The report warns that there are no legal measures to prevent conflicts of interest between politicians and media owners, and that through the company Telekom Srbija, the state has “re-entered media ownership, thereby formally legalising state-party influence over the media”, EUalive’s partner BETA writes.
“Politicians and government institutions use public funds as levers of influence: subsidies, budget advertising, and public procurement systematically favour media outlets close to the government. At the same time, шге Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media fails to oversee equal media treatment during election campaigns, and public broadcasters do not ensure fair access for opposition voices. Editorial independence is virtually non-existent, and the mechanisms intended to protect against political interference are ineffective or ignored,” the report states.
It further notes that local authorities “increasingly bypass open calls and use public procurement to finance loyal media, while public service broadcasters remain under tight political control, lacking stable governance and funding.”
The working conditions for journalists in Serbia are described as “extremely unfavourable,” with the report highlighting not only the increasing number of SLAPP lawsuits – a legal intimidation strategy targeting critical media, but also the “use of advanced spyware by the Serbian police and intelligence services to surveil journalists.”
On the issue of market pluralism, the report states that economic tools are used to limit media diversity, and that many media outlets, particularly tabloids, survive “thanks to direct or indirect financial support from the state, which undermines their editorial independence.”
Social inclusiveness in Serbian media is assessed as a high-risk area due to limited progress in making content accessible to persons with disabilities, despite legal obligations.
“Hate speech is formally prohibited, but the law is poorly enforced, particularly in digital spaces where insults, threats, and aggressive communication dominate,” the report says.
At the local level, there is “a serious deficit of pluralism, as media outlets often report unilaterally in favour of local authorities, while community media are not legally recognised.”
“Gender inequality remains significant, and most media lack policies or mechanisms to promote equality and better working conditions. Media literacy is underdeveloped and almost entirely dependent on the limited capacities of the civil sector, with no systemic support from the state,” the report finds.
The Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) is described as “practically non-functional,” rarely issuing sanctions even against broadcasters who blatantly violate the law — such as those airing violent reality shows during prime time or engaging in biased reporting during election campaigns.
Among its recommendations for improving media pluralism in Serbia, the report calls for full implementation of the new media laws in the spirit of the 2020 Media Strategy, legal protections for journalists and anti-SLAPP measures, reform of REM and transparent appointment of its members, full transparency in media ownership and advertising, harmonisation with EU regulations, collective bargaining in the media sector, and more precise regulation of public funding for media.
The report urges political actors in Serbia to “unequivocally condemn violence against journalists and cease the labelling and verbal attacks on critical media outlets.”
The findings of this study fully align with the conclusions of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) regarding Serbia. Although there is quality journalism in the country – recognised for its investigations into crime and corruption, it remains caught between rampant fake news and state-aligned propaganda. Despite the existence of a solid legal framework, journalists continue to face political pressure, and crimes against them go unpunished.
Last November, at the outset of the protests against President Vučić’s regime, RSF warned that at least four media crews had recently been attacked while covering anti-government demonstrations in Serbia.
“Serbia at breaking point, the return to the status quo is impossible”
In previous meetings held in Belgrade, the organization had urged both the Minister of Information and the President’s media advisor to take concrete action against the impunity for crimes committed against journalists, to curb abusive lawsuits targeting critical media, and to address the spread of Kremlin-backed disinformation.
Two months ago, during her visit to Belgrade, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas stated that while the Serbian authorities claim EU accession is their strategic goal, concrete actions are needed to back up those promises, reforms that must be implemented in practice, not just on paper. These include genuine changes in areas such as freedom of expression, anti-corruption efforts, electoral law reforms, and broader democratic standards.
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Caption: Riot police officers prepare to disperse a blockade organized by students and anti-government demonstrators in Belgrade, Serbia, 4 July 2025. University students and anti-government demonstrators are demanding snap elections and release of detained protesters. EPA/ANDREJ CUKIC
Updated: July 10, 2025 - 11:05
