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March manipulations

In March, CRTA recorded 121 manipulations. The dominant narratives were vilifying opponents and vilifying neighbours.
02.04.2026.
3 MINUTES READ

Vučić's addresses in March (46 addresses)

In March, President Vučić made 46 public addresses. 329 local television channels broadcast events at which Vučić spoke - the highest number since the beginning of the year. The most frequent topics were energy, elections and party promotion, with the economy and infrastructure projects as secondary themes.

46

addresses by President Vučić

329

local TV channels carrying his addresses

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

In March, CRTA recorded 121 manipulations. The dominant narratives were vilifying opponents and vilifying neighbours.

Vilifying opponents - 57 manipulations

Topic: elections, protests (early March)

Examples

  • "Old hatred, new puppet, same result. The Niš crucifixion as a symbol of the blockaders' downfall. Analysts: They are creating a social psychosis that murdering Vučić is legitimate." (3 March 2026, TV Pink, Kurir, Politika, Alo) Protest in Niš, where protesters carried a banner depicting Vučić crucified on a cross
  • "What kind of people are you - Blockaders go too far - Mocking the tears of a sick child!" (18 March 2026, TV Pink, Alo, Kurir)
  • "A week before the local elections, the opposition and the blockaders are more divided than ever, with mutual accusations and clashes both live and on television." (24 March 2026, TV Prva, Alo, Kurir, Informer)
  • "A dirty campaign most often emerges when clear programmes and concrete policies are lacking, analysts say ahead of the local elections on 29 March. Disagreements between the blockaders and the opposition are becoming clearer by the day." (11 March 2026, TV Prva)

Total manipulations

121

Dominant narratives

Vilifying opponents & vilifying neighbours

Vilifying neighbours - 40 manipulations

Topic: Serbian armaments, students (student-Croatia connection), Kosovo (Law on Foreigners)

Examples

Armaments
  • "Zagreb is bothered that Serbia's army has never been stronger: Ustashas in panic over Serbian missiles! Shock in Zagreb after a photo appeared of powerful CM-400 AKG missiles on MiG aircraft." (12 March 2026, Informer, Večernje novosti, Srpski telegraf)
  • "Growing shock in Croatia - Hysteria of the enemies: They are seeking NATO's help due to our super-powerful missiles." (15 March 2026, Srpski telegraf)
Students
  • "Increasingly dangerous messages from Zagreb - Croats want to 'take Vučić's head off'! - Ustaša-linked media say they hope the President of Serbia will be killed when the 'blockaders' come to power!? - The campaign against Vučić has also been continued by Tonino Picula, who presented a series of falsehoods about our country in the European Parliament." (18 March 2026, Informer)
  • "Sinister ties between the Croatian Security and Intelligence Agency and certain Serbian officials. The agri-mafia works for the Croats. They are siphoning off billions to finance the blockaders." (21 March 2026, Srpski telegraf)
Kosovo
  • "Pristina's terror does not stop; A cover for retaliation; Persecution; Five Serbs arrested near Srbica." (2 March 2026, TV Pink, RTS 1, Informer)
  • "Pristina's plan has failed - catastrophe in Kosovo and Metohija and the shutdown of Serbian institutions prevented. Kurti has failed! Serbs will not become strangers in their own homes." (15 March 2026, Alo)

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