Editor of independent Serbian TV channel removed in 'blow to press freedom'
Unions say dismissal of Igor Bozic is part of attempt to take over independent media
Management of the N1 Serbian television channel, which has often been critical of the government, on Monday removed editor-in-chief Igor Bozic in what media unions called a new blow to press freedom.
Bozic was dismissed on Friday as a company director and on Monday was told that he no longer had a role and "would not be managing the newsroom" while the board considers his status, the outlet announced.
About 10 journalist associations and unions released a statement condemning what they called "an escalation of pressure and attempts to fully take over independent media in Serbia".
N1 is widely seen as opposing President Aleksandar Vucic, a nationalist who has frequently criticised it.
Since nationwide protests in late 2024 over a train station disaster, N1 has given prominent coverage to demonstrations and student-led initiatives, making it a target for government supporters and pro-government media.
N1 is owned by United Group, a private telecommunications and media group based in Luxembourg.
In August 2025, the OCCRP investigative news outlet published a conversation between the heads of United Group and state-controlled Telekom Srbija, the country's main telecoms provider, discussing the potential dismissal of the group’s media division chief executive. The official was later removed.
In response, United Group said that "editorial independence is sacrosanct for the current management and will never be undermined by any interference or political consideration".
Serbia ranked 96th out of 180 countries and territories in Reporters Without Borders’ 2025 World Press Freedom Index -- second to last in the EU-Balkans region.
Contacted by AFP, the channel did not immediately respond.