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Media and Information Space

Serbia's media landscape is shaped by a concentration of outlets aligned with or controlled by ruling party interests, while independent media operate under sustained financial and political pressure. Genuine pluralism is largely absent - President Vučić dominates media coverage to a degree that leaves little room for alternative voices or critical reporting. Public broadcasters have largely abandoned their editorial independence, and the regulatory body overseeing electronic media has failed to act as a genuine check on political influence over the airwaves. Journalists face harassment, surveillance, and coordinated smear campaigns - with some cases involving illegal use of spyware documented by international forensic investigations.
May manipulations in the media
June

In May 2026, CRTA recorded 134 manipulations on the front pages of print media and in the headlines of central news broadcasts across two active narrative categories. Vilifying opponents was the dominant pattern, with 71 manipulations targeting students and rector Vladan Đokić. Vilifying neighbours accounted for 34 manipulations, focused on Kosovo elections, Montenegro's independence anniversary, and Croatia.
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May

Following a four-day visit to Serbia (18-21 May 2026), Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty issued an end-of-visit statement concluding that the human rights situation has worsened since his previous visit in April 2025. He documented increasing violence against journalists and civil society, a climate of impunity for police malpractice, and the absence of investigations into the alleged sonic weapon attack of 15 March 2025. The Commissioner called on Serbian authorities to implement Venice Commission recommendations on prosecutorial autonomy and to ensure the upcoming 23 May demonstrations are policed in line with human rights obligations. Three meetings with government ministers were cancelled by the Serbian side.
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The Second Basic Court in Belgrade ruled that a public statement issued by the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation - responding to the Court of Appeal's 2024 acquittal of former State Security Service officers Miroslav Kurak, Ratko Romić, and Milan Radonjić for the 1999 murder of journalist Slavko Ćuruvija - violated the plaintiffs' honour and reputation. The court ordered the Foundation to pay 200,000 dinars in damages to each of the three plaintiffs, plus 435,000 dinars in legal costs, totalling approximately 8,800 euros. The court disregarded the Foundation's argument that the Supreme Court had subsequently found the acquittal to have been rendered with serious procedural violations. The Foundation announced it will appeal.
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President Vučić live addresses 2023 to 2025, cumulative and monthly

2023 (304 total) 2024 (354 total) 2025 (411 total)
2023: 304 total. 2024: 354 total. 2025: 411 total with peak in Feb-Mar 2025.

Figure: Cumulative President Vučić live address count per month. The orange shaded area shows the gap between 2025 and 2024.

Source: CRTA media monitoring, 2023 - 2025.

Update
May manipulations
In May, CRTA recorded 134 manipulations on the front pages of print media and in the headlines of central news broadcasts. The dominant narratives were, again, vilifying opponents and vilifying neighbours.
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Update
Court orders Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation to pay damages to acquitted former state security officers
The Second Basic Court in Belgrade ruled that a public statement by the Foundation - responding to the acquittal of four former state security officers for the 1999 murder of journalist Slavko Ćuruvija - violated the plaintiffs' honour and reputation. The ruling orders the Foundation to pay over one million dinars in damages and legal costs.
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Update
Politika novine i magazini acquires NIN as owner Boban Rajić expands his print portfolio
The acquisition consolidates Serbia's two oldest surviving print brands - Politika and NIN - under a single owner with documented ties to the ruling political network.
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Update
Who controls Serbia’s media: a map of the six dominant ownership groups
Serbia's media sector is dominated by a small number of actors with ties to political power, state resources, or hard-to-trace business networks. This update maps the six largest ownership groups and the outlets they control.
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Update
OSCE marks 27 years of impunity in the murder of Slavko Ćuruvija
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media issued a statement noting that Serbia's Supreme Court identified serious procedural violations in the 2024 acquittal of four defendants accused of killing journalist Slavko Ćuruvija - but that the acquittals were not overturned, leaving the case unresolved after nearly three decades.
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Update
April manipulations
In April, CRTA recorded 170 manipulations. The dominant narrative was vilifying opponents, with 96 manipulations, followed by vilifying neighbours with 30.
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Update
RSF 2025: press freedom in Serbia – investigations and awards alongside propaganda and impunit...
Reporters Without Borders' 2025 World Press Freedom Index ranks Serbia 104th out of 180 countries - a drop of 8 places from the previous year - finding the country's media landscape caught between award-winning investigative journalism and systematic political pressure, with a record number of attacks on journalists during the 2025 protests and persistent impunity for crimes against the press.
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Update
UN Human Rights Chief Warns of Serious Civic Space Erosion in Serbia
UN High Commissioner Volker Türk has raised alarm over accelerating restrictions on civic freedoms in Serbia, citing electoral irregularities, pressure on independent media, and ongoing threats against critical voices as signs of a deepening democratic crisis.
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Update
March manipulations
In March, CRTA recorded 121 manipulations. The dominant narratives were vilifying opponents and vilifying neighbours.
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CRTA+ is part of CRTA’s work to document developments related to democracy, the rule of law, and accountability in Serbia.
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Key Issues
Slučajevi Elections & Voting Integrity Civil Society Resilience Protests in Serbia Institutions & Oversight Media & Information Space
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Slučajevi Public Sentiment Serbia in Reports Reform Agenda Updates