Only Vučić, Vučić Everywhere: Deutsche Welle on How the Serbian Government Treats Media Space
No cracks allowed! That's how, according to DW interlocutors, the government treats media space. On Media Freedom Day (May 3), Serbia is very close to echoing only propaganda.
TL;DR
- The Serbian government has systematically controlled the media space since 2012, aiming for 90% of media to be connected to the ruling regime.
- Loyal media receive financial and institutional support, while dissenting outlets face isolation and pressure.
- State funding, including konkursno sufinansiranje (competitive co-financing) and state advertising, is predominantly directed towards pro-government media.
- Private companies avoid advertising in independent media due to fear of damaging their relationship with the government.
- The government uses media to promote a narrative that portrays opposition as traitors and foreign agents.
- There is a trend towards transforming media into primitive political weapons spreading lies and creating societal divisions.
- Newly established media, often unregistered and using uncredited, identical texts, are used for campaigns against critics.
- Concerns exist about increased pressure on remaining independent media, such as N1 television.
- The political problem of media freedom in Serbia is seen as unlikely to be resolved without a change in government.