A new controversy has emerged surrounding the organization known as the “Archive of Public Gatherings,” which has been accused of presenting misleading data regarding attendance at political events in Serbia.
According to an editorial published by Andrijana Nešić, editor-in-chief of novosti.rs, the group allegedly relied on limited and methodologically questionable sources to estimate the number of attendees at a recent rally organized by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
The report claims that the organization based its conclusions on just six video recordings sourced from Večernje novosti, all captured from a single angle. Furthermore, these recordings were reportedly taken two to four hours before the official start of the event and only showed a portion of the Belgrade Arena, a venue with a circular structure—making accurate crowd assessment difficult.
The editorial criticizes the organization for failing to request clarification from the media outlet regarding the timing and context of the footage. It also notes that the group allegedly ignored a live broadcast that showed a significantly larger crowd present at the rally.
Additionally, the “Archive of Public Gatherings” is described as a non-transparent entity employing questionable methodologies, with accusations that it functions as part of a broader effort to mislead the public. The use of the term “archive” in its name is also criticized, as it may imply institutional authority or official status, which the editorial argues is misleading.
The publication emphasizes that any reference to Večernje novosti without proper authorization is considered misuse, particularly given the outlet’s long-standing history and reputation.
The debate highlights ongoing tensions over the accuracy of crowd reporting and the role of independent organizations in politically sensitive contexts.
