On August 27, 2025, new information revealed by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), published in collaboration with the investigative portal KRIK, indicated that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić intends to undermine the independence of television stations N1 and Nova.

A recording surfaced of a conversation between Vladimir Lučić, the General Director of Telekom Srbija, and Stan Miller, the General Director of United Group, who was recently appointed by the British private firm BC Partners, one of the main owners of United Group. In the recording, the two interlocutors are heard discussing President Vučić's request for the dismissal of United Media's Executive Director, Aleksandra Subotić, because he is "aware that it is currently difficult to change the director of N1."

This conversation, as noted by MFRR, clearly indicates a plan to first replace the director of United Media, who has resisted commercial and political pressures for years, and then to exert influence on N1.

The authenticity of the recording has been confirmed by United Group, while the president's spokesperson denied Vučić's intention to interfere in the management of N1.

The MFRR consortium expressed astonishment at the content of the audio recording and condemned any political interference in the operations of United Group that would significantly impact independent broadcasters, starting with N1, the consortium stated.

Back in July, MFRR sent a letter to BC Partners expressing concern over the recent management changes at United Group.

These revelations are particularly troubling amid increased political pressure on independent journalism in Serbia. As early as April, N1 and Nova TV were removed from satellite television services, leaving viewers with the option to follow these channels solely via the internet. N1 was the most-watched TV channel in the SBB network, it was noted.

Moreover, President Aleksandar Vučić and his allies are conducting ongoing smear campaigns against N1's independent coverage of student protests, which erupted following the collapse of the shelter at the train station in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024.

N1, which Vučić referred to as "pure terrorism," is consistently portrayed as an opponent of the state, along with journalists from United Media in Serbia, MFRR writes. This state rhetoric, as noted, dangerously resonates among private individuals, who regularly send online threats, including death threats and threats of physical violence. Since January 2025, Mapping Media Freedom has recorded 26 cases of intimidation and threats against N1, primarily online.

As a result, MFRR calls on the Government of Serbia to cease all forms of inappropriate influence on private media owners and to respect the independence of media houses, as well as to refrain from exerting pressure on editorial policies and decisions through personal relationships or political connections.

The smear campaigns aimed at discrediting truthful reporting must stop immediately, it is stated. The consortium also appeals to the authorities to ensure swift and independent investigations into attacks on journalists. As established during the MFRR solidarity mission in April, ongoing investigations are never brought to a conclusion.

Once again, they urge BC Partners to reaffirm its commitment to European standards of media freedom and freedom of expression and to protect United Media and its employees from political and other forms of interference, in accordance with the EU's Media Freedom Act (EMFA). They also support the Manifesto for Independent Journalism, published by the editors of United Media in Serbia in response to the audio recording.

"We also appeal to European institutions to publicly condemn any attempts by President Aleksandar Vučić and other politicians to interfere in the editorial policies of independent broadcasters and to belittle them. Given the constant and persistent decline of media freedom in Serbia, including the rise in physical attacks perpetrated by law enforcement officers, concrete and stronger measures are necessary before the media landscape is entirely brought under government control. Since November 1, 2024, Mapping Media Freedom has recorded 200 incidents directed against journalists, media houses, and journalists' associations in Serbia—an unprecedented number compared to previous years," the consortium stated.

Finally, MFRR expresses full solidarity with the employees of United Media and the journalists of N1, who continue to produce high-quality journalism despite working in a highly hostile environment for critical voices.

Signatories of the statement:
- European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
- European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
- Free Press Unlimited
- ARTICLE 19 Europe
- Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
- International Press Institute (IPI)

**Source: [N1](https://n1info.rs/vesti/mfrr-izrazava-zabrinutost-zbog-politickog-pritiska-i-mesanja-u-rad-n1-i-nove/)**