ANEM on the claims of the Russian service: A coordinated propaganda effort against independent and professional media.

The same media has been a target of targeting and negative campaigns for years from the highest representatives of the government in Serbia, pro-government tabloids, television stations, and online portals. This has intensified particularly in the last few months, since the onset of civic protests, leading to a record number of threats, pressures, and attacks on journalists and media workers in 2025.

The media relations service of the Russian Federation's external intelligence agency reports that, according to information received by the SVR of Russia, the current unrest in Serbia, with the active participation of young people, is largely a product of subversive activities by the European Union and its member states, and that the EU, with the support of the media, is preparing a "Serbian Maidan."

The Russian intelligence agency states that the emphasis is on the "brainwashing" of Serbian youth and the promotion of the so-called "bright European future." They claim that a special role is attributed to allegedly independent media. Their "independence" is supposed to be strengthened by "democratic" European funding, according to the statement.

Their statement highlights that the following Serbian news portals receive significant financial support from non-governmental organizations linked to Brussels: FoNet, RAM Network, Vreme, Južne Vesti, Slobodna Reč, Bum 93, Podrinske, Frimedija, Inđija, SOinfo, FAR, Storiteler, as well as the NGO Link.

ANEM reminds that it is no secret that in the absence of a fair market competition, many critical and professional media in Serbia are partially financed with the help of grants from European and international organizations. The vast majority of media that do not report in accordance with the wishes of the ruling factions cannot count on support through project co-financing and advertising budgets.

Most of the mentioned media are smaller or local outlets that would not be able to survive without foreign donations, which would result in a lack of real information in a sea of propaganda outlets that public officials in Serbia daily legitimize. They are indeed the true "guardians of the public interest" and promote values that the European Union also advocates, which are in deficit in our society.

Project financing of media by European and international organizations is a complex process in which media apply to write on predetermined topics, produce quality content, and improve the operations of editorial offices. The only obligation to the donors is to report on the activities carried out, as no donor interferes in editorial policy or dictates how specific topics should be addressed.

We remind that most foreign organizations with which media compete for projects closely collaborate with the Government of Serbia, ministries, and most state institutions through substantially greater financial support than that received by the named media.

It is also concerning that professional media adhering to the Code of Journalists of Serbia are regular targets of such labeling, while, on the other hand, there are no reactions or condemnations from media that daily drastically violate all professional and ethical journalism standards—spreading disinformation, propaganda, and hate speech, omitting facts, and endangering the privacy and dignity of the people they write about.

“This is a 'joint propaganda endeavor' of the Russian intelligence service and domestic security institutions and leading politicians, who accuse and target media in Serbia in nearly identical ways, making them a target for attacks. ANEM calls on all media and journalists to show solidarity with the named editorial offices and urges the citizens of Serbia to support the work of professional media through donations,” said Veran Matić, President of the Management Board of the Association of Independent Electronic Media.

Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)