Serbia’s ruling SNS party has been tightening its grip on the country’s media in recent years, sparking concerns about the erosion of press freedom and independent reporting. The move is seen as a key strategy by the government to consolidate power ahead of an expected election.
Since coming to power in 2017, the SNS party, led by President Aleksandar Vučić, has taken steps to exert control over the media landscape. Media outlets that were once critical of the government have faced pressure, intimidation, and even closure. Independent journalists who refused to toe the party’s line have been subjected to harassment, threatening phone calls, and online harassment.
One of the most notable examples is the case of Jovana Čubrilo, a journalist who was arrested in 2018 for publishing an investigation into alleged corruption involving Vučić’s family. Čubrilo was later acquitted, but her ordeal highlights the risks faced by journalists who dare to challenge the government.
Experts warn that the situation is becoming increasingly dire, with many outlets now dependent on state funds to stay afloat. The government’s strategy is to create an environment where only outlets loyal to the party can survive.
“The media landscape in Serbia is dominated by a handful of outlets that are controlled by the SNS party or its allies,” said Dragan Marinković, a media expert at the University of Belgrade. “This creates a self-censorship regime where journalists feel pressure to report only on issues that are deemed favorable to the government.”
The situation is particularly worrying ahead of an expected election in which the SNS party is widely expected to retain power. Authorities are likely to try to eliminate any remaining pockets of independent reporting, leaving the public with a heavily censored media landscape.
“This is a classic case of state control over the media,” said Marko Đorđić, a researcher at the Media Development Center in Belgrade. “The government is using its power to shape public opinion and suppress dissenting voices. This has serious implications for democracy and press freedom.”
Despite these concerns, many journalists remain determined to continue their work, even if it means facing personal risks.
“We will not be silenced,” said Zvezdan Lutkić, a journalist with the independent outlet Blic. “We will continue to report on issues that matter, even if it means going against the government’s interests.”
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