NUNS: Layoffs at RTS Confirm Atmosphere of Fear and Censorship

The Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS) expresses strong protest against the layoffs of employees at Radio-Television of Serbia (RTS) and the pressure on those who publicly express disagreement with the current editorial policy of the Public Service. They urge the management of RTS to immediately cease retaliatory behavior, intimidate employees, and reinstate the unjustly dismissed staff.

Our pRoTeSt, a group of RTS employees gathered in this informal group, announced yesterday that their colleague employed in the TV production sector was dismissed after protesting live on air during the blockade of the RTS building, preceded by a disciplinary procedure.

Three other freelance collaborators lost their jobs, meaning their contracts were not renewed, while other freelancers are under pressure and fear a similar scenario.

NUNS has learned that there is pressure on the employees of Radio Belgrade under the pretext that they have "harmed the reputation of RTS." Some have been asked to provide written statements regarding their views expressed on air, while others received verbal warnings.

All of them are signatories of an open letter addressed to the RTS management demanding dialogue. After these pressures, some freelancers withdrew their signatures, which clearly indicates an atmosphere of fear and self-censorship, the statement notes.

They remind us that the general director of RTS, Dragan Bujošević, stated in the program "Oko" that so far no RTS employee who disagrees with the editorial policy and expresses it publicly has suffered consequences for their differing opinion. He also mentioned that journalists have the right to say whatever they want and cannot face any repercussions for doing so.

He then stated that sanctions apply to those who hinder production and broadcasting of programs.

"We ask – if this is true, why have four female employees lost their jobs, and why is there repression against those who demand journalism in the service of the public interest, rather than the authorities?" NUNS states.

NUNS calls on the RTS management to urgently stop the practice of intimidating and punishing employees, to show a willingness for dialogue, and to enable professional work in accordance with the role of the Public Service and reinstate the dismissed employees. The public service must serve the citizens and not be a tool of control and coercion.

UNS: Unacceptable Retaliation and Pressure on Journalists and Media Workers at RTS, Euronews Serbia, and "Politika"

The Journalists' Association of Serbia (UNS) condemns the retaliation, pressure, and censorship of journalists and media workers in the editorial offices of Radio-Television of Serbia, Euronews Serbia, and "Politika," who have publicly disagreed with management, criticized the editing of their media, or privately expressed opinions and supported student protests.

UNS considers the elimination of people from editorial offices through layoffs, non-renewal of freelance contracts or fixed-term contracts, dismissals, relocations, and exposure to the "empty desk syndrome" unacceptable, as these actions target individuals deemed by management as not "in line," not under control, and undesirable.

UNS calls on the leaders of the national public service and private media, as well as their owners, to cease this dangerous practice.

As learned by UNS from colleagues, during and after the student blockade of Radio-Television of Serbia (RTS), retaliation began against those who are "not loyal," or who directly participated in protests outside the public service, as well as those who signed statements from the informal group of RTS workers, Our pRoTeSt, which publicly criticizes the editorial policy of RTS.

After the blockade of the public service ended, the editors of the RTS News were changed. Colleagues who publicly expressed disagreement with the editorial policy have reportedly been given no work assignments, while two disciplinary procedures have been initiated at Radio Belgrade. The non-renewal of fixed-term contracts is also a measure against two colleagues from RTS who are among the signatories of the statement from the group Our pRoTeSt, despite having worked at the public service for years.

At Euronews Serbia, members of the editorial team who distanced themselves from the statement "We call on the authorities to enable the work of RTS" from April 18, which was published without the editorial's knowledge but in its name, are under attack.

A warning prior to dismissal and non-renewal of employment contracts are currently measures against two colleagues among the 78 journalists and media workers who signed the statement opposing the management of this media outlet.

Employees at Euronews, owned by Telekom Serbia, have thus far shown unity and solidarity, but they have been subjected to professional degradation, various pressures, and, as they say, the introduction of new colleagues to change the "blood composition" of the editorial team.

Editresses of the Weekend edition of "Politika," Sandra Gucijan and Chronicle's Dorotea Čarnić, were handed termination notices yesterday after more than two and three decades of work in this editorial office, respectively. By the decision of the management, specifically owner Boban Rajić, they were declared redundant.

Gucijan and Čarnić previously told UNS that they believe the dismissals have a political background, given that both "have not hidden their support for the students since the fall of the canopy and the beginning of the student protests," and that the dismissals are a way to intimidate other journalists at "Politika."

UNS reminds that earlier this year, a journalist from "Novosti," also owned by Boban Rajić - Vojislava Crnjanski Spasojević, stated that the day after posting a photo from the protest in front of the Constitutional Court on her Instagram profile, she was dismissed.

UNS emphasizes that the Law on Public Information and Media stipulates that "a journalist's employment cannot be terminated, their contracted salary or compensation reduced, nor can they be placed in a worse position for having published a true statement or expressed an opinion in the media, nor for expressing their opinion outside of the media as a personal stance."

Additionally, the Law on Public Information and Media prohibits direct and indirect discrimination against media editors, journalists, and other persons in the field of public information, particularly regarding their political affiliation and beliefs or other personal characteristics.

UNS and its legal team are available to colleagues for legal assistance.

RTS: Actions Against Employees Due to Violations of Work Obligations, Not Due to Disagreement with Editorial Policy

The claim that RTS has initiated disciplinary proceedings against employees who supported the student protests is false, states RTS in a press release.

They add that this claim was made without any evidence by some portals and the Journalists' Association of Serbia (UNS) based on a letter from a group of employees at Radio-Television of Serbia who call themselves "NašRtsProtest."

"It is true that actions have been initiated due to violations of work obligations and failure to respect work discipline, as defined by the Collective Agreement with the employer, Codes of Conduct, and their employment contracts, and not due to expressing personal opinions and disagreement with the editorial policy of RTS," RTS stated.