“Relentless pressure on journalists and interference with the management of independent media in Serbia raise grave concerns about editorial independence and press freedom in the country, ahead of a crucial parliamentary election,” United Nations (UN) experts said on Wednesday.
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“Independent journalism is essential to democratic elections. Voters must have access to diverse sources of information and journalists must be able to report freely, without editorial interference,” the experts said.
They added that these developments have unfolded amid restrictions on civic space and wider concerns about fundamental rights and freedoms in Serbia.
“Measures affecting an entire newsroom require particular scrutiny when introduced shortly before an election,” the experts said.
Concern was voiced over the recent events at the Nova.rs news portal, where they said journalists were reportedly given less than 48 hours to decide whether to continue working under new editorial leadership or leave with severance.
Journalists at Nova.rs described the measure as “pressure” on the newsroom and an attempt to “discipline” their reporting before the elections, the experts emphasized.
According to a news release from the Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council, the reported changes follow management changes affecting several media outlets, including at N1, Nova, Danas and Radar, in the context of Alpac Capital’s acquisition of the wider media group, while regulatory procedures were reportedly ongoing in Luxembourg.
Media freedom organizations have warned that the transaction puts media pluralism and editorial independence of these outlets at risk, according to the news release.
“Changes in media ownership must be transparent and subject to adequate regulatory oversight, with safeguards to protect editorial autonomy,” the experts said.
They also raised concerns over a public letter by the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications criticizing certain media outlets and calling for N1 and Nova.rs to register in Serbia after the takeover.
“Interventions by public authorities may be perceived as exerting undue influence on media organizations or their editorial policies,” the experts warned.
It was emphasized that, for over a year, the experts have raised concerns about restrictions on judicial independence, fundamental freedoms and civic space in Serbia, echoed in April by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
“Freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association are essential to free and fair elections, and to public oversight and accountability for human rights and environmental harm related to business activities. Pressure and intimidation directed at journalists, civil society, human rights defenders, and critical voices risk undermining public debate and democratic participation,” they said.
“No media outlet should face political or other pressure because its reporting is critical of those in power,” the experts said.
“Media pluralism requires a diverse and independent media landscape. Serbia must safeguard journalists’ freedom to report and the public’s access to diverse viewpoints,” they added.
The experts urged the owners of media organizations to uphold editorial independence and establish safeguards separating business interests from editorial decisions.
“Authorities must protect human rights, media freedom and civic space, and ensure that journalists, civil society, student movements and human rights defenders can participate in public debate without intimidation or interference,” the news release stated.
“Free media and open civic space are cornerstones of democracy and credible elections, enabling voters to make informed choices and participate meaningfully in public life,” the experts said.
The experts:
Leopoldo Maldonado Gutierrez, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression;
Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association;
Andrea Bolanos Vargas, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders;
Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers;
Robert McCorquodale (Chairperson), Fernanda Hopenhaym (Vice-Chairperson), Lyra
Jakuleviciene, Pichamon Yeophantong, and Damilola Olawuyi, Working Group on Business and Human Rights
Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/.
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