Journalists at Serbia's Nova.rs news website have rejected an ultimatum to accept a newly appointed editorial team or leave with severance payments, with senior editor Ranko Pivljanin insisting that the newsroom continues to operate despite the dispute over its leadership.
Oglas
Pivljanin, editor-in-chief of the daily newspaper Nova, told the FoNet news agency that representatives of Alpac Capital had underestimated the journalists' determination to resist the management changes.
The dispute escalated after management appointed Marko Stjepanovic, formerly editor-in-chief of the newspaper Blic, to lead Nova.rs. Journalists opposed the appointment, raising concerns about the future of the outlet's editorial independence.
Staff were given until Thursday evening to decide whether to accept the new management arrangements or leave with severance packages. The newsroom rejected both options.
"The ultimatum from the imposed editors, telling us to fall into line by Thursday at 7 p.m. or leave with severance pay, has passed. We did neither. We are working," Pivljanin said in an interview for FoNet's Kvaka 23 programme.
He said he was particularly proud of the solidarity demonstrated by his colleagues, acknowledging that he had not anticipated such a strong collective response.
Following the departure of Mihailo Jovicevic from the leadership of Nova.rs, journalists backed Pivljanin as their preferred editor-in-chief.
Pivljanin acknowledged that the newsroom's vote had no formal authority but said it carried considerable significance for him and his colleagues.
He explained that the arrangement was intended to ensure that someone could coordinate editorial meetings and participate in newsroom decision-making during the dispute.
Addressing criticism directed at journalists working for other outlets within the Adria News Network, including N1, Nova S, Radar and Danas, Pivljanin rejected accusations that they had abandoned their professional principles.
"Have you seen anything censored on N1 or Nova S?" he asked, dismissing social media claims that journalists had compromised their independence.
He also criticised those demanding that journalists publicly justify their decision to remain in their newsrooms.
Pivljanin expressed confidence that, regardless of the eventual outcome of the dispute over Nova.rs, the journalists would ultimately emerge victorious.
Teme