Serbia faces high risk for media pluralism, freedom: Report

Serbia is identified as a high-risk country for media pluralism and freedom, according to the Media Pluralism Monitor 2026 (MPM 2026) report by the Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (CMPF). The report assigns Serbia an overall risk level of 74 percent, with all four assessed areas falling into the "high-risk" category.

Political influence on the media is deemed the most severe threat. The report highlights a 97 percent risk for the political independence of media and 90 percent for editorial autonomy. This is compounded by a significant increase in violence against journalists in 2025, with at least 98 physical assaults recorded and 340 journalists and media outlets experiencing various forms of pressure. The dysfunction of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM), which lacks a quorum due to member resignations, is a key systemic issue. The report also notes the filing of 48 strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) since 2020 and the confirmed use of spyware like Pegasus and Predator.

Market plurality also presents considerable risks, particularly within digital markets, which have a 97 percent risk level. The four largest owners control nearly 80 percent of the media market. Telekom Srbija's acquisition of Mondo INC, and thus control of the outlet Kurir, on December 31, 2025, exemplifies this concentration. Public service media, including Serbian state TV (RTS) and Radio Television of Vojvodina, face an 85 percent risk due to persistent bias favoring the authorities. Opposition parties receive minimal airtime on RTS, with data showing they garner only 1-2 percent of airtime, starkly contrasting with the extensive coverage given to the Serbian president.

The "Social Inclusiveness" area shows a worsening problem of "news deserts" and declining local information quality. Ahead of the 2026 local elections, members of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) reportedly acquired financially troubled local media outlets. Furthermore, a significant gender imbalance persists in media management and editorial roles. While women constitute over 52 percent of employees in public service media, they hold only 20 percent of editor-in-chief positions in the eight most influential outlets and appear as experts in only 12 percent of news programming.