EFJ and its regional members are concerned about the sale of Adria News Network to Alpac Capital.

According to published information, the transaction involves informational media operating within the Adria News Network, such as N1, Nova S, Vijesti, Danas, Radar, and other regional media outlets, which employ more than 1,000 journalists and media workers and reach an audience of over 16 million people.

"We are aware that every media company can undergo changes in ownership structure and that a change in ownership does not necessarily mean a threat to editorial independence. However, in this case, our concern is not abstract. It arises from the broader political and media context in which independent and professional media in the region have long been exposed to pressures. Civil society organizations have previously warned that this transaction could have serious consequences for media pluralism, editorial independence, and the public interest in Serbia and the Western Balkans," the statement reads.

It adds that they are particularly concerned about the fact that Alpac Capital is the majority owner of Euronews, whose acquisition was the subject of international investigative journalism.

Hungarian investigative media Direkt36, the French newspaper Le Monde, and the Portuguese weekly Expresso published a report in 2024 revealing that the acquisition of Euronews SA was partially financed by funds linked to Hungarian state capital and circles close to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Following this transaction, significant measures to reduce staff were implemented at Euronews, resulting in the departure of over half of the employees, specifically 175 out of a total of 370. Euronews also relocated its headquarters from Lyon to Brussels.

"At that time, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) supported their French member, the National Union of Journalists of France (SNJ), in requesting a parliamentary inquiry. At the annual EFJ meeting in Pristina, Kosovo, a resolution was adopted calling for guarantees that this acquisition complies with the provisions of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). The reason for this was precisely the concerns regarding transparency of ownership, the actual source of funding, and the potential impact on editorial policy," the statement emphasizes.

For this reason, they expect Alpac Capital, United Group, BC Partners, and all parties involved in this process to publicly, precisely, and bindingly guarantee that the change in ownership will not lead to the suppression of freedom of expression, changes in editorial policy under political or commercial pressure, sanctions or dismissals of editors and journalists who defend professional journalism and resist political obedience, any form of censorship, such as restrictions on investigative journalism, unprofessional demands, or prohibitions on questioning government representatives, threats, and violations of the labor rights of journalists, editors, cameramen, producers, technical staff, and other media workers throughout the region.

"We particularly insist on the preservation of labor rights and union freedoms of employees in all media operating within the Adria News Network. Any change in ownership must be carried out with full transparency toward employees, respecting labor contracts, collective rights, the right to union organization, and consultations with employee representatives. Media freedoms cannot be protected without protecting the people who produce news in the public interest every day," the EFJ statement reads.

According to a statement released today by Adria News Network, the agreement reportedly includes mechanisms to protect editorial and functional independence, the separation of editorial and commercial interests, as well as the preservation of an independent advisory body.

"We welcome any genuine, verifiable, and institutionally protected guarantee of editorial independence. However, contractual formulations and public promises are not sufficient unless there are clear accountability mechanisms, transparent oversight, and protection of the editorial team from political, ownership, and commercial influence. This is why we demand that these mechanisms be explained publicly, transparently, and concretely," it adds.

According to their claims, regulatory bodies and competent institutions in the European Union and the countries of the region must carefully examine this transaction from the perspective of media pluralism, ownership concentration, capital transparency, editorial independence, and the protection of labor rights.

"This sale is not just a business transaction. It concerns the rights of citizens in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia to access reliable, independent, and professional information," they assess.

For our region, they add, "neutralized" media is not needed—it is of essential importance to have professional, independent, pluralistic, and courageous media that can report in the public interest, fact-check, expose any abuse of power, and enable citizens to make informed decisions based on facts rather than opinions.

"Professional journalism does not mean political obedience, false balance, or avoidance of questions that are uncomfortable for those in power. Professional journalism means accuracy, independence, fact-checking, a clear distinction between facts and opinions, protection of sources, accountability to the public, and the right of journalists to ask questions of anyone wielding political, economic, or social power without pressure," the EFJ emphasizes.

For this reason, they say they will closely monitor every subsequent step in this process, publicly respond to any attempts at political or ownership pressure on editorial teams, and support journalists and media workers whose professional, labor, or union rights may be endangered.

"Editorial independence, freedom of expression, and decent working conditions are not subject to negotiation. They are fundamental conditions for professional journalism and a democratic society," the EFJ stresses.

The statement was signed by the Journalists' Union of Slovenia (Slovenia), the Association of Journalists of Slovenia (Slovenia), the Journalists' Union of Croatia (Croatia), the Croatian Journalists' Association (Croatia), the Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (Serbia), the Association of Journalists of Serbia (Serbia), the Branch Union of Culture, Arts, and Media "Independence" (Serbia), the BH Journalists Association (Bosnia and Herzegovina), the Media Union of Montenegro (Montenegro), and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ).