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The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network - BIRN has published guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence on its portal titled "Internal Protocol for the Use of AI in the Editorial Office."

The Ministry of Information and Telecommunications initiated 27 misdemeanor proceedings against public authorities in 2025 for non-compliance with the Law on Public Information and Media, specifically regarding the rules related to competitions for project co-financing of media content.

The weekly magazine "Vreme" has announced a competition for young journalists under the age of 30 for the "Dragoljub Žarković" award. They are also inviting students of journalism, communication, and social sciences who are interested in pursuing journalism, as well as young journalists with no more than two years of work experience, to apply for the already traditional scholarship that also carries the name of one of the founders and the editor-in-chief of this weekly publication.

To make the already poor media landscape even worse, the Center for Social Stability, mentioned at the beginning of the program, has made an effort. This pro-government organization from Novi Sad produces shows they call documentaries, but in reality, they are pamphlets that do not adhere to a single article of the journalistic code. The latest target is the former editor of Radio B92, who, it seems, has not been forgiven for his past actions, and is now the president of the ANEM Board of Directors, Veran Matić. Last week, television networks B92, Informer, and Prva simultaneously aired a program in a series titled "Evil Era 2," during prime time. In this program, he is portrayed as a traitor to Serbia, a foreign mercenary, and an agent, all accompanied by accusations of embezzlement. The film, which indirectly incites lynching, has been condemned by journalists' associations as well as representatives of civil society. However, no one from the government has spoken out.

The first hearing in the trial of Zoomer journalist Darko Gligorijević was held today at the Misdemeanor Court in Belgrade. He was arrested on June 5 of last year on charges of "disturbing public order and peace with shouting and commotion" in the Student City, during an event attended by Miloš Pavlović, a "student who wants to learn."

During January 2026, the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation recorded at least 160 verbal attacks on critically oriented media and journalists, carried out by the highest state and party officials who did not "rest" even during the New Year and Christmas holidays. This is, in fact, double the number recorded in December, when they noted 79 attacks.

As of now in 2026, as well as throughout 2025, the media landscape in Serbia continues to be subjected to pressures, bot attacks, and smear campaigns, assessed Jan Bratu, the OSCE representative for media freedom.

"I am not guilty; I was just doing my job," said Darko Gligorijević, a journalist from the Zoomer portal, as he defended himself today before the misdemeanor judge. He was arrested last June during a protest gathering in the Students' City.

On Wednesday, February 4th, the Register of Media of the Agency for Business Registers (APR) recorded seven new internet portals, all owned by Zaple Media Group from Novi Sad, with Gradimir Banković listed as the main and responsible editor for all of them.