Savo Manojlović, leader of the Kreni-Promeni movement, has accused Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and the ruling authorities of seeking to take control of television channels N1 and Nova S ahead of elections in order to influence how the results are reported.
In a written statement on Thursday, Manojlović alleged that the authorities were preparing a media operation aimed at shaping public perceptions on election night.
“Vučić does not have a majority, but he will try a media operation of ‘darkness.’ Before the elections, he must take full control of N1 and Nova S in order to control the narrative on election night,” Manojlović said.
He claimed that the alleged effort would also target social media platforms, which he described as important sources of information for citizens outside traditional media channels.
“The second part of this operation will be bot attacks on the most influential social media platforms,” Manojlović warned.
Manojlović did not provide details on how the alleged operation would be carried out, but said his movement had prepared a response.
He also claimed that Vučić was planning to appear on N1 or Nova S, describing the possible appearance as part of a broader effort to influence media coverage ahead of the elections.
“Throughout his time in power, he has not dared to appear before N1 journalists, and later Nova S journalists either. Now, after arranging the purchase of these media outlets, appointing his own editors and wanting to bring in his own journalists, he plans to appear bravely on one of these two television channels,” Manojlović said.
The allegations were made by Manojlović, who did not provide evidence in the statement to substantiate his claims about the authorities’ intentions or the alleged media operation.
