The imposition of a new editor-in-chief and his deputy, as well as thinly veiled threats of dismissal against journalists at Nova.rs, is a further step in the escalation of the regime’s efforts to completely silence free media in Serbia ahead of the elections. Hiding behind the owner’s right to do whatever they want at Nova.rs is absolutely unacceptable, both under the standards governing journalism as a profession and under the regulatory framework in force in the EU, which above all protects citizens’ freedom of thought and speech, and all the more so that of journalists.
The European Movement in Serbia condemns in the strongest terms the suppression of free media in Serbia and expresses its full support for the brave journalists of Nova.rs who are defending freedom of expression and the constitutional right of all citizens of Serbia to truthful, complete and timely information. Without free media and truthful reporting, no freedom of any citizen of Serbia can be guaranteed, least of all freedom of choice in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.
