April manipulations

In April, CRTA recorded 170 manipulations. The dominant narrative was vilifying opponents, with 96 manipulations, followed by vilifying neighbours with 30.
01.05.2026.
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Vučić's addresses in April (27 addresses)

In April, President Vučić made 27 public addresses. 168 local television channels broadcast events at which Vučić spoke, while 103 national and cable television channels carried the events. The most frequent topics were international affairs and investments, with the economy and elections as secondary themes.

27

addresses by President Vučić

168

local TV channels carrying his addresses

103

national and cable TV channels carrying his addresses

Manipulations in headlines and leads of central news broadcasts (April 2026)

In April, CRTA recorded 170 manipulations. The dominant narrative was vilifying opponents, with 96 manipulations, followed by vilifying neighbours with 30.

1) Vilifying opponents - 96 manipulations

Topic: Rector, opposition
Examples:
Rector:
  • "Deliberately violating the Law on Higher Education - Lawlessness - Politician Đokić, from the rector's chair, is lobbying in Brussels against the citizens of Serbia" (21 April 2026, Kurir, Informer, TV Prva)
  • "All the cards finally revealed - The blockaders are offering Serbia 'Đoka' (a di*k) - Vladan Đokić openly admitted for the first time that he will be the blockaders' candidate in the elections..." (3 April 2026, Informer)
Opposition:
  • "Luxury hotels, dirty politics: from Brussels to Berlin, the opposition attacks its own country" (17 April 2026, Politika, Srpski Telegraf, TV Informer)
  • "Serb-haters in Barcelona, Serbian opposition figures in the company of Kurti, a disgraceful campaign" (20 April 2026, Alo, Informer, Kurir, TV Prva) Pro-European opposition representatives visiting Berlin, Stockholm and Barcelona, meeting with EU officials

2) Vilifying neighbours - 30 manipulations

Topic: Croatia (20 of 30)
Examples:
  • "A scandal never seen before - Croats strike at the Dayton Agreement: Do the Ustashas want to divide Bosnia and Herzegovina?!" (28 April 2026, Kurir, Informer, TV Informer)
  • They have chosen their candidate; Operation 'Đokić', a new action by the Croatian intelligence service (SOA) in Serbia; Croats interfering in Serbia's elections" (20 April 2026, Srpski Telegraf, TV Informer)

Total manipulations

170

Dominant narrative

Vilifying opponents

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