UN Special rapporteurs concerned over attacks on N1

They expressed concern over alleged state pressure for the removal of Aleksandra Subotic as CEO of United Media, as well as threats and attacks against journalists from N1 television.

“United Media has faced pressure and allegedly been targeted by public officials, pro-government media, including tabloids, and persons affiliated with Serbia’s ruling parties. On 27 August, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), released an audio recording of a telephone conversation between the CEO of United Group, and the CEO of competitor Telekom Srrbija, which allegedly demonstrates direct influence in personnel changes and operations of United Media, by the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. During the call, the reduction of operations of United Media in Serbia was discussed. The removal of United Media CEO Aleksandra Subotic was also discussed, with reference to apparent governmental pressure for her removal. The findings of the OCCRP came after months of public speculation regarding possible government plans to weaken United Media outlets in Serbia. This includes a televised speech in February 2025, during which President Aleksandar Vucic referenced the shutting down of N1 News by November 2025, advising that many would be fired or change jobs.

Attacks on media freedom and journalists

“While N1 journalists had received threats prior to November 2024, these threats, and even assaults against journalists have spiked since the fatal infrastructure collapse at the Novi Sad railway station and the protests that ensued, and their coverage of same. Since late June 2025 there has been an escalation of policing of protests, and in parallel, threats and attacks against journalists have even further increased in recent weeks while covering these events.

“There have also been public pronouncements against the news channel and its reporters, made by public officials, up to the President, which are then reinforced by pro-government media outlets and tabloids. Public figures have even directly called for violence against N1 staff. Senior state officials have reportedly referred to independent media in the country as “terrorists”, “extremists, “enemies”, or “occupier media”, potentially emboldening or legitimizing threats and attacks against journalists.

“N1 journalists have also reportedly been repeatedly denied entry to government briefings, to which other media has been granted entry, including when they have previously sent the requisite accreditation letters. This includes recent briefings by the Minister of Interior, which have been taking place on a weekly, at times even daily basis, in the months prior to drafting of this letter. N1 and other independent news media are denied the possibility of even asking questions, even when their channel, and other independent media outlets, have been criticized during such Government press briefings.

“Threats and attacks against N1 and its journalists have increased since June 2025, including the following;

“On 28 June 202, in Belgrade, during a mass protest in Belgrade, several students, journalists, human rights defenders, and citizens reportedly sustained serious injuries. An N1 camera assistant was struck with a police baton while lying on the ground in a yellow press vest, simultaneously identifying himself as a journalist. The incident occurred in Kneza Miloša Street after citizens allowed an ambulance to pass, while police refused to do so and began pushing the crowd toward the Kralja Milana intersection.

“On 30 June, in Belgrade, President Aleksandar Vucic public referred to N1’s work as terrorism, stating “What Nova S and N1 are doing is pure terrorism and we are waiting to see what the prosecutor will say.”

“On 3 July, a N1 journalist was presented with a white rabbit with a related threatening message (“raise rabbits, not lions”), from an individual who entered the N1 premises. Footage of this incident was later aired on a pro-government tabloid. This journalist had previously received an anonymous death threat via email, that included threatening language referring to the wiping out of everyone at N1 and those who support them. This threat was reported to the Special Public Prosecutor’s Office for Cybercrime.

On 11 July, N1’s newsroom received a letter with death threats referencing the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris in January 2015, in which 12 journalists were killed. The letter accused N1 of spreading propaganda and conducting an “anti- Serbian campaign” and suggested its journalists may meet the same fate as those from Charlie Hebdo. This letter was reported to the Third Municipal Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade, and a case was opened (Case #2534). However, no substantive progress reports nor findings have been communicated to N1.

“On 25 July, Lazarevac, Milos Veliki Highway blockade, while covering a protest live on air, an N1 reporter and a cameraman were assaulted by a member of the police. The cameraman was aggressively pushed away, despite already complying with police orders to leave the highway area. When he turned the camera toward the officer, the policeman tried to forcibly seize it but failed. The officer then left the scene.

“On 10 August, in Vrbas, a group of individuals, wearing black shirts and caps, apparently associated with SNS activities, disrupted N1’s reporting team. A journalist and a cameraman were insulted with obscene curses, and family members were also targeted verbally. One of the aggressors, who was initially wearing a mask, threatened the team with a throat-slitting gesture.

“On 12 August 2025, during protests in Vrbas, an N1 cameraperson was injured after being hit in the stomach and shoulder by stones that were thrown at him reportedly by ruling party (SNS) activists. The protest took place in front of the local SNS offices. A crowd, of apparent SNS activists gathered wearing black, including some wearing balaclavas and caps, and used fireworks, stones, and water bottles against protesters. They directed insults and death threats at the news crew. One individual made a threatening “slaughter” gesture, of slicing a throat to one N1 reporter, who was also subjected to verbal threats and obstructed from reporting by a laser pointer. The news crew was forced to stop reporting and to leave the scene. Police were present but did not intervene.

“On 17 August, during a press conference, President Vucic advised the State will respond strongly to the protests in the coming days. Only questions from pro- government media were allowed and when an N1 reporter attempted to ask a question the President replied shaming N1 for what they do, calling them “media occupation platform”.

“On 20 August, during a protest in front of a court in Belgrade, a police officer forcibly pushed an N1 reporter against a tree, pressing her hand until her phone, with which she was recording, was knocked away. The case was reported and is allegedly under review by the Ministry of Interior’s Internal Control Unit.

On 22 August, a disturbing gesture was made when garlic, a symbol of death, as well as a witch’s brew, candles, and a Bluetooth speaker playing a well- known Serbian song “A Sad Adio” (a sad goodbye), were left outside the N1 offices in Belgrade.

“On 6 September, in the context of N1’s live coverage of a police operation in Novi Sad, President Vucic publicly stated he was waiting for the reaction of the prosecution (in light of the N1 coverage) and that appropriate measures would be taken if not.

“Such incidents have continued in recent weeks, including on 11 October in various cities. Most recently, on 20 November, an N1 film crew was again physically attacked while filming near the National Assembly of Serbia. An individual approached the N1 crew demanding they stop filming. He then physically attacked them, taking their camera and throwing it on the ground several times, thereby destroying it. While police were there and informed, they did not intervene, only advising that another team would come. They did not take additional protection measures for the media workers, nor apprehend the individual. The subsequent team of police arrived 90 minutes after the incident, and allegedly conducted an onsite investigation and notified a prosecutor’s office.

“We are alarmed at the violent nature of the threats, which put journalists at serious risk. We are concerned that the threats appear to be directly related to their work as journalists and because of their critical views on government policies. The above allegations also raise concerns about media freedoms more broadly, and if proven, demonstrate signs of interference in the independence of the media. They demonstrate a pattern of escalating attacks on journalists in the country, including N1 journalists, and a potentially deliberate narrative against an independent news organization, undertaken and promoted by State officials.

“Particularly worrisome is the fact that some of the above-mentioned attacks, including use of force by police, took place on journalists clearing undertaking their legitimate professional responsibilities, while wearing identifying press vests. In the report of her visit to Serbia in April 2023, the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression already expressed concern regarding threats to media freedom and the safety of journalists and human rights defenders at the time, and called for stronger political commitment and institutional and policy reforms to address these problems,” the UN Special Rapporteurs said.