11 Years of N1 – Seeking a Chance to Buy Back Our Freedom

Throughout these eleven years, our journalists and editors have proven every day that truthful journalism matters and that it is possible to survive in an environment increasingly hostile to free media. Over the past year, in addition to numerous professional and editorial challenges - and a dramatic rise in threats and attacks on our crews in Serbia - N1 has also faced growing uncertainty about its own future.

Following recent changes in the management of United Group, the public has been informed that the highest state officials of the Republic of Serbia, including the President himself, could be involved in decisions concerning the future of N1, and that the Group’s management maintains close cooperation with individuals linked to the Serbian government. Aleksandar Vučić stated as early as February this year that United Group had failed to secure financing and that journalists would be laid off in November. We are deeply concerned, as this clearly opens the door to potential political influence over N1’s editorial independence in Serbia.

For this reason, we propose a management buyout - the acquisition of N1 from United Group under market conditions, supported by credible external investors.

Our goal is not ownership for profit, but institutional and editorial protection of the network, based on sustainable principles and in line with the best European practices.

We believe that such a model - in which the newsroom leadership assumes full responsibility and corporate governance - would be the best way to prevent any external political or corporate takeovers and to ensure the long-term preservation of N1’s independence.

Program directors N1 Serbia, N1 Bosna and Herzegovina, N1 Croatia, N1 Slovenia