Branko Miljuš, a prominent Member of Parliament for the Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP), launched a blistering critique of the Serbian government on Thursday, April 30, following the release of the 2026 World Press Freedom Index.
The annual report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) shows Serbia falling to its worst position in the history of the index, dropping eight places to 104th out of 180 countries. The situation for media freedom in the country is now officially classified by the organization as “difficult.”
A “Predator of Media Freedom”
In a formal statement, Miljuš attributed the country’s plummeting rank directly to the policies of President Aleksandar Vučić. He argued that the current hostile environment for journalists is a natural extension of Vučić’s political history.
“This ranking is a direct consequence of everything Aleksandar Vučić has done since he became a follower of the politics of Vojislava Šešelj,” Miljuš stated. “He has earned the title of a predator of media freedom. In Europe, only Belarus, Russia, and Turkey are now ranked worse than us.”
Miljuš highlighted that over 100 attacks on journalists were recorded in the past year, alleging that state institutions—controlled by the ruling party—fail to provide protection or pursue justice for the victims.
RSF 2026: Key Findings for Serbia
The RSF report paints a grim picture of the media landscape in Serbia, noting a significant decline in the safety of journalists and an increase in state-sponsored propaganda.
- Ranking: 104th (down from 96th in 2025).
- Regional Status: Lowest in the Western Balkans.
- Safety & Law: RSF noted that despite a “solid legal framework,” journalists remain exposed to political pressure, and crimes against them remain largely unpunished.
- Propaganda: The report emphasized the influence of Kremlin propaganda through outlets like RT Balkan (headquartered in Belgrade) and its amplification by national pro-government media.
Balkan Regional Comparison (2026 Index)
| Country | 2026 Rank | Trend | RSF Category |
| Slovenia | 36th | Stable | Satisfactory |
| Montenegro | 41st | Improving | Satisfactory |
| North Macedonia | 45th | Declining | Problematic |
| Croatia | 53rd | Declining | Problematic |
| Kosovo | 84th | +15 Places | Difficult |
| Bosnia & Herz. | 90th | Declining | Difficult |
| Serbia | 104th | -8 Places | Difficult |
Institutional Failure and Domestic Unrest
The decline in media freedom coincides with a highly polarized political climate following anti-government protests that spanned from 2023 to early 2026. Independent monitors, including the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), recently conducted a mission to Belgrade, citing “increasing attacks and pressure” in the wake of the 2024 Novi Sad tragedy.
RSF warned that the Serbian media market is “highly fragmented” and vulnerable to “media capture,” where regulatory bodies remain dysfunctional while national broadcasters are used as tools for political campaigning rather than public service
