The partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) express serious concern over the threat of political interference in the operations of the United Group’s media outlets in Serbia, including major independent television news channels N1 and Nova S.
On 27 August 2025, the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), in collaboration with the investigative outlet KRIK, revealed new information indicating that Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić intends to undermine the independence of N1.
A leaked recording emerged of a conversation between Vladimir Lučić, CEO of Telekom Srbija, and Stan Miller, the CEO of United Group, newly appointed by the British private firm BC Partners, a major owner of United Group, in which the two can be heard discussing Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s demand for the dismissal of United Media’s executive director, Aleksandra Subotić, who has tirelessly fought to safeguard the media group’s editorial independence.
The authenticity of the recording has been confirmed by the United Group. Meanwhile, the president’s spokesperson denied Vučić’s intent to interfere with the management of N1.
The MFRR consortium is appalled by the content of the audio recording and condemns any political interference within the United Group that would have a significant impact on independent broadcasters, starting with N1. In July, the MFRR had already expressed concern in a letter to BC Partners regarding the recent change in leadership at United Group.
This information is particularly concerning amidst intensified political pressure on independent journalism in Serbia. Back in April, N1 and Nova S were removed from the satellite television service, leaving viewers with no choice but to watch these channels on the internet. N1 was the most-watched TV channel.
In addition, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and his allies have engaged in relentless smear campaigns against the independent reporting of N1 on the student-led protests that emerged since the collapse of the canopy of the railway station in Novi Sad on 1 November 2024. N1, which President Vučić labelled as ‘doing pure terrorism’, is constantly portrayed as an opponent of the state, along with United Media journalists in Serbia. This examples of state rhetoric are also widely and dangerously taken up by private individuals, who post regular threats online, including death threats and threats of physical violence. Since January 2025, Mapping Media Freedom has documented 26 instances of intimidation and threats against N1, predominantly online.
Therefore, the MFRR urges the Serbian government to stop all forms of undue influence on private media owners and respect the independence of media houses, while also refraining from applying pressure on editorial policies and decisions through personal relationships or political connections. Smear campaigns aimed to discredit truthful reporting must stop immediately.
We also reiterate our calls on BC Partners to reaffirm its commitment to the European standards of media freedom and freedom of expression and to defend United Media’s affiliates and employees from political and other forms of interference, also in line with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). We support the Manifesto for Independent Journalism, published by United Media editors in Serbia in reaction to the audio recording.
We further call on European institutions to publicly condemn any attempts by President Aleksandar Vučić and other politicians to interfere with and denigrate the independent broadcaster’s editorial policy. Given the constant, steady decline of media freedom in Serbia, including the surge of physical attacks perpetrated by law enforcement officers, concrete and stronger actions are needed to prevent the media landscape from becoming entirely government-controlled. As of 4 September, Mapping Media Freedom has documented 200 alerts directed against journalists, media outlets, and journalists’ associations in Serbia since 1 November 2024, three times more than in the previous year.
Finally, the MFRR stands in full solidarity with the employees of United Media and the journalists of N1, who continue to produce high-quality reporting despite operating in such a highly hostile environment for critical voices.
Signed by
European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
Free Press Unlimited
ARTICLE 19 Europe
Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
This statement was coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.
