ANEM: Pressures on Nova.rs as part of efforts to ensure complete control over the media.

"Our media community must not remain silent in response to attempts to exert pressure for changes in editorial policy through alterations in the staffing structure of these media outlets. Such efforts further diminish the space for professional and critical reporting in the interest of the public. Alongside numerous attacks on local media and journalists, daily threats, impediments to reporting, economic exhaustion, and attempts to alter the editorial policies of influential media, the authorities are seeking to ensure complete control over the media through new ownership and management. We must not allow the citizens of Serbia to be deprived of objective information and the critical public's perspectives, especially ahead of the parliamentary elections," said Veran Matić, President of the ANEM Board of Directors.

The announcement of engaging journalists from pro-government media at the Nova.rs portal was preceded by a series of similar actions taken by the management of ANN, which, according to employees, have affected the editorial work. The Nova.rs portal had its budget for marketing campaigns on social media and Google eliminated, directly reducing the reach of its articles. A decision was made to advertise participants in the upcoming parliamentary elections at what the editorial staff describes as "astronomical prices that will likely only be affordable for the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS)."

ANEM reminds that the new management, headed by Pedro Vargas Santos David along with Brent Sadler, Executive Director of ANN's program, mutually terminated the contract with Mihailo Jovićević at a time when he was serving as the Director of United Media Digital, the company managing the Nova portal and newspapers, as well as the weekly Radar, and was also the Chief and Responsible Editor of the Nova.rs portal. Jovićević ceased to be an editor at a time when, as employees point out, the portal was recording its highest traffic, clearly indicating that the decision was not based on professional results but rather on political reasons.

Since then, the journalists of the Nova.rs editorial team have been working under increased pressure and tension. It is unacceptable for Sadler, who promised employees support for independent journalism, to come forward with the names of journalists from media outlets close to the authorities and the SNS under such circumstances, especially during the parliamentary elections. ANEM has repeatedly warned domestic and international public opinion that the sale of ANN to Alpac Capital could pose a direct threat to media freedom in Serbia and the Western Balkans.

Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)