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Front page manipulations

CRTA monitors manipulation narratives on the front pages of pro-government tabloids and other outlets in Serbia on a daily basis. This page presents monthly overviews of recurring patterns across four categories - vilifying opponents, vilifying neighbours, personality cult, and vilifying EU/West - and documents how these narratives shift in response to political developments.
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

In April 2026, CRTA recorded 170 manipulations on the front pages of print media and in the headlines of central news broadcasts, the highest monthly total since monitoring began. Vilifying opponents was the dominant narrative with 96 manipulations, targeting rector Vladan Đokić and pro-European opposition representatives. Vilifying neighbours accounted for 30 manipulations, predominantly focused on Croatia.
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https://crta.plus/updates/april-manipulations/
April

In March 2026, CRTA recorded 121 manipulations on the front pages of print media and in the headlines of central news broadcasts across two active narrative categories. Vilifying opponents accounted for 57 manipulations, centred on elections and protests in early March. Vilifying neighbours accounted for 40 manipulations, the highest share of any month so far, focused on Serbian armaments, alleged Croatian links to student protests, and the situation of Serbs in Kosovo.
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Narrative types

Vilifying opponents

Media content that demonizes domestic political opponents, activists, students, or other actors who oppose the government - portraying them as a threat to the state, the nation, or its institutions.

Vilifying neighbours

Media content that portrays neighboring states or peoples as enemies of Serbia - through narratives of conspiracy, military threat, interference in internal affairs, or historical animosities.

Personality cult

Media content that builds or reinforces a personality cult around Aleksandar Vučić - through uncritical glorification, attribution of achievements, or portraying him as indispensable to the fate of the state.

Vilifying EU/West

Media content that portrays the European Union, the United States, or Western institutions as hostile forces working against Serbia's interests.

Overview

February 2026

144

Vilifying opponents: 79
Vilifying neighbours: 30

March 2026

121

Vilifying opponents: 57
Vilifying neighbours: 40

April 2026

170

Vilifying opponents: 96
Vilifying neighbours: 30

May 2026

134

Vilifying opponents: 71
Vilifying neighbours: 34
Vilifying opponents
Vilifying neighbours
Other
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
April manipulations
In April, CRTA recorded 170 manipulations. The dominant narrative was vilifying opponents, with 96 manipulations, followed by vilifying neighbours with 30.
Read more
Update
March manipulations
In March, CRTA recorded 121 manipulations. The dominant narratives were vilifying opponents and vilifying neighbours.
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Update
February manipulations
In February 2026, CRTA recorded 144 manipulations on the front pages of pro-government print media and in the headlines of central news broadcasts on five national television channels. The dominant narrative targeted domestic opponents of the government, primarily student protesters, while a significant number of manipulations portrayed neighboring countries as threats to Serbia.
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