The government's tightening grip on the media is part of efforts by the ruling elite to prepare for elections in spring or summer 2022. Recent media market entrant Euronews is only notionally independent: its franchise operation in Serbia is a joint venture with the state telecoms company. Meanwhile, pressures have increased on CNN-affiliated news programme N1.
Neutralising independent media outlets gives room to government-linked tabloids and private TVs to spread misinformation.
Telekom Srbija’s involvement with Euronews may contravene a legal ban on state ownership of the media.
Under increased pressure in the region, UG may diversify its operations further afield, having bid for RTL Lux in Luxembourg.
Serbia's EU accession bid, already on hold, will be further hampered by increasing government media capture and state capture more widely.
