Editors of United Media in Serbia have adopted a Manifesto for Independent Journalism.

The manifesto was adopted at a meeting of the chief editors of the N1 television and portal, daily newspapers and portal Nova, the Danas newspaper, and the Radar weekly. It emphasizes that the independence of journalists and editorial offices is a fundamental condition for United Media to remain a guarantor of free and professional journalism in Serbia.

Through this document, United Media sends a clear message that it will continue to protect freedom of speech, professional integrity, and the citizens' right to accurate and relevant information.

We present the manifesto in its entirety:

Our mission is to provide the public with accurate, verified, and relevant information, to uphold freedom of speech and professional integrity, and to ensure that journalism remains independent from political and business pressures.

Freedom and Responsibility

• Journalists and editors have the right to work freely and responsibly, without interference from owners, advertisers, or political power centers.

• Each journalist is responsible for the truthfulness and professionalism of their work, while editors are responsible for editorial policy and published information.

Role of the Editor

• The chief editor, in agreement with the editorial team, devises and implements an editorial policy based on independent and ethical journalism.

• The editor is obliged to protect the professional and human rights of journalists, including the right to hold opinions and to refuse assignments that contradict the rules of the profession.

Rights and Obligations of Journalists

• Journalists freely investigate, collect, and process information in accordance with professional standards.

• Journalists have the right to express their professional interpretations of events, based on analysis and journalistic standards, and to be protected from pressure, threats, violence, and censorship.

• A journalist cannot be compelled to publish content that is untrue, manipulative, or contrary to journalistic ethics.

• Their work cannot be significantly altered or published without consent.

Responsibility of Owners and Publishers

• The publisher is obliged to ensure the professional and financial independence of the editorial office.

• The publisher has the right to define the basic program orientation, but without infringing on editorial autonomy.

• The publisher must protect journalists and editors from political and other pressures.

• Our obligation to the public

• Our work is based on fact-checking, combating misinformation, and analyzing political and social processes in Serbia and the region.

• The content we publish must be truthful, complete, and free from any particular interest.

Source: N1