Global journalists' federations back Serbian N1 journalists, demand independence guarantees

International and European journalists' federations have voiced strong support for their Serbian affiliate, the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS), in its concerns regarding the future of Adria News Network (ANN) media outlets. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) stated that the response from Alpac Capital CEO Pedro Vargas David to Serbian Minister of Information and Telecommunications Boris Bratina has raised further questions about the new owner's commitment to editorial independence.

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Rather than alleviating employees’ concerns about the future of Adria News Network (ANN) media outlets, the wording of the response raises further questions about the new owner’s approach to the editorial policies of the newsrooms.

These concerns stem from an open letter sent by the Ministry of Information to Alpac Capital, urging the company to register N1 Belgrade and Nova S TV with Serbia’s Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) post-acquisition. The letter also included criticism of the existing editorial policies of N1 and Nova S. In his reply, Vargas David affirmed that attempts at influence or pressure would fail and stressed the importance of an independent and functional national regulator.

Vargas David expressed his belief in a "European Serbia" and "serious, non-activist, Western-style journalism," while criticizing what he termed a "trend imported from the United States" where media outlets act as "political forces." NUNS has previously warned against executive branch representatives dictating media management, particularly when reporting displeases authorities.

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We would strongly encourage the Serbian authorities to finalize this and guarantee an independent and functioning regulator.

The IFJ, EFJ, and NUNS are now calling on Alpac Capital to provide clear, verifiable guarantees that political demands from government officials will not impact staffing or editorial choices at N1, Nova, Danas, Radar, and other ANN group media. While acknowledging Vargas David's statements about journalistic freedom and the unlikelihood of successful influence attempts, the associations noted his remarks about media organizations becoming 'political forces' warrant further clarification and assurance.

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believes in a European Serbia,” Vargas David added that he also “believes that serious, non-activist, Western-style journalism can make and will make a difference,” while criticizing “a trend imported from the United States in which journalists and media organizations, both on the left and on the right, behave like ‘political forces’.