ANEM, NUNS, UNS, Local Press, and the Media Association: On what legal basis and criteria did the city of Niš allocate four million for Niš TV?

By the decision dated November 3, 2025, the city administration of Niš has decided to co-finance the project of this company through individual grants totaling 4,028,400 dinars. As stated in the decision, the goal of this media house's project, "Eco Awareness for a Sustainable Future," is to raise public awareness about the importance of preventive behavior in environmental preservation.

Journalistic and media associations - the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM), the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS), the Journalists' Association of Serbia (UNS), Local Press, and the Media Association are asking the relevant authorities on what criteria such substantial budget funds are allocated to media outlets that have only existed for a few months?

We remind you that Niš TV, although unregistered and without a license, began operations in May of this year, and the portal was registered in the Media Register only on August 28 of this year. The question arises as to how the city administration, which made the decision on individual grants to the publisher of these media, could assess the capacities of the project applicant and previous reporting experience based on such a short period of existence?

It is also questionable how it is possible for someone who has been violating the law for months by broadcasting a program for which they do not have a license and is not officially registered to receive funds for the co-financing of media content projects?

Journalistic and media associations view this action by the city administration of Niš as further undermining the process of co-financing media content projects, which has particularly shown in 2025 to be a means of supporting pro-government and propaganda outlets, rather than an incentive for media to engage in professional and quality journalism.

Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)

Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS)

Journalists' Association of Serbia (UNS)

Local Press

Media Association

The project of the Association of Independent Electronic Media "Participatory Monitoring of the Co-Financing Process of Projects" is supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the MATRA program. ANEM is solely responsible for the content, which does not necessarily reflect the official views of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.