The editorial staff of Serbian media outlet N1 has called on the company’s management and Alpac Capital to suspend the application process for a television broadcasting license in Serbia, citing concerns over the functioning of the country’s media regulator.
In a letter signed by 140 members of the N1 newsroom, the journalists also urged management not to accept political advertising from the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) if the party were to become the only political group purchasing advertising space on N1 during the upcoming election campaign.
The newsroom said Serbia’s Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) is currently not functioning as a body capable of making decisions by a majority vote.
“Given that, ahead of the early parliamentary elections in Serbia, the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media is still not a functional body capable of making decisions by a majority vote, we ask you to suspend the application process for obtaining a television broadcasting license for N1 in Serbia at this time,” the letter states.
The editorial staff said the current circumstances raise questions about the motives behind the move to seek a broadcasting license in Serbia.
The newsroom’s request comes as Serbia prepares for early parliamentary elections and amid continuing scrutiny of the country’s regulatory and media environment.
The N1 editorial staff is seeking assurances that any future decision concerning the broadcaster’s licensing and political advertising will not compromise the outlet’s editorial independence.
