In the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index 2025, Serbia is ranked 96th out of 180 countries globally, with an overall score of 53.55, placing it in the lower half worldwide. Serbia records particularly weak results in the political indicator, where it ranks 141st, and in the economic indicator, where it ranks 125th, reflecting sustained political pressure on journalists and structural economic influence over the media environment.
RSF finds that although Serbia has a formally adequate legal framework and a visible presence of investigative journalism, these safeguards are undermined in practice. Journalists critical of the authorities face restricted access to public officials and information, are frequently targeted by public attacks from members of the ruling elite, and operate in an environment marked by polarization and disinformation. The electronic media regulator REM, whose composition is largely determined by the government, is described as unwilling or unable to address these pressures.
Economic dependence further constrains media independence. RSF highlights the role of opaque state subsidies and advertising, access to which is largely controlled by political actors, alongside growing concerns about media concentration and market pressure. Despite some improvements in police and prosecutorial responses, RSF concludes that impunity for attacks against journalists remains widespread, reinforced by emblematic cases such as the acquittal in the murder of journalist Slavko Ćuruvija and reports of illegal surveillance and phone hacking targeting journalists.
Overall, RSF assesses that Serbia’s press freedom environment is characterized by a gap between legal guarantees and lived reality, where political interference, economic leverage, and lack of accountability continue to erode the safety and independence of journalists.
RSF finds that although Serbia has a formally adequate legal framework and a visible presence of investigative journalism, these safeguards are undermined in practice. Journalists critical of the authorities face restricted access to public officials and information, are frequently targeted by public attacks from members of the ruling elite, and operate in an environment marked by polarization and disinformation. The electronic media regulator REM, whose composition is largely determined by the government, is described as unwilling or unable to address these pressures.
Economic dependence further constrains media independence. RSF highlights the role of opaque state subsidies and advertising, access to which is largely controlled by political actors, alongside growing concerns about media concentration and market pressure. Despite some improvements in police and prosecutorial responses, RSF concludes that impunity for attacks against journalists remains widespread, reinforced by emblematic cases such as the acquittal in the murder of journalist Slavko Ćuruvija and reports of illegal surveillance and phone hacking targeting journalists.
Overall, RSF assesses that Serbia’s press freedom environment is characterized by a gap between legal guarantees and lived reality, where political interference, economic leverage, and lack of accountability continue to erode the safety and independence of journalists.
