Serbian Public Distrusts Official Media, Seeks Truth Online Amid Autocratic Fears

Serbian citizens largely distrust official media outlets, with a growing number turning to the internet for information, a trend that signals a slide toward autocracy, according to a retired political science professor. Snježana Milivojević, who contributed to research by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, stated that the public's skepticism towards state-controlled media is a significant concern.

Milivojević's analysis, based on the research, categorizes media in Serbia into three distinct groups. The first group, largely comprising professional and critical media associated with United Group, enjoys significant public trust. The second group, which includes tabloids, faces widespread disbelief.

The study highlights a concerning pattern where a population's inability to rely on official news sources forces them to seek alternative, often less regulated, channels online. This shift can make populations more susceptible to misinformation and manipulation, a hallmark of authoritarian tendencies, Milivojević explained.

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The public in Serbia does not trust official media, and an increasing percentage of them try to find the truth on the internet, which is characteristic of all countries sliding into autocracy.