Serbian journalists' association decries minister's letter as 'unacceptable political pressure' on N1 and Nova

The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) has issued a strong warning against what it terms "unacceptable interference" by Minister of Information and Telecommunications Boris Bratina. The minister's open letter to Alpac Capital, the new owner of media outlets N1 and Nova, is seen by NUNS as a direct attempt by an executive branch representative to influence the ownership, management, and future of these news organizations. This action, NUNS stated, further deepens concerns about preserving the editorial independence of N1 and Nova.

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unacceptable interference by a representative of the executive branch in matters concerning the ownership, management and future of N1 and Nova

NUNS finds it particularly alarming that the minister responsible for public information has directly addressed the new owner while the regulatory procedure for the takeover of Adria News Network is still pending. The association highlighted that Bratina's letter includes "politically charged and unsubstantiated accusations" against the media, their journalists, and previous owners, alongside calls for N1 and Nova to register with the domestic regulator. Descriptions like "criminal media project" and "pirate scheme," when coming from the responsible minister, carry the weight of institutional pressure and may signal the authorities' expectations for the newsrooms.

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making a series of politically charged and unsubstantiated accusations against these media outlets, their journalists and their previous owners

Furthermore, the association expressed deep concern over the minister's portrayal of the professional work of journalists at N1 and Nova as politically motivated attacks against the authorities. NUNS argued that such conduct could have a "direct chilling effect" on journalists and editors, undermining their professional security. The association reiterated that in a democratic society, the information minister's role is to create conditions for the free and safe operation of all media, not to dictate editorial policies or pressure investors based on reporting that is unfavorable to the government.

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Such conduct may have a direct chilling effect on journalists and editors and further undermine their professional security