Serbia’s pro-government television network Pink, known for its unwavering support of President Aleksandar Vučić and for spreading narratives aligned with his administration, has once again taken center stage in shaping public perception — this time through a sensational broadcast on the so-called “sniper infiltration case.”
During Sunday’s morning program, TV Pink devoted extensive coverage to what it called a “criminal network in the service of a color revolution”, echoing the president’s claims that foreign agents and the mafia are conspiring to destabilize Serbia.
The program followed an announcement by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) that several individuals were arrested in Belgrade, Zvornik, and Banja Luka, allegedly linked to “mobile sniper teams” hired to “create chaos and impose political control.” President Vučić himself said the state had been “hunting two snipers for days,” portraying the situation as a grave national security threat.
Critics, however, point out that TV Pink functions less as an independent media outlet and more as a mouthpiece for government propaganda, often vilifying Vučić’s political opponents while presenting him as a victim of conspiracies. Analysts argue that such coverage feeds a narrative of fear and heroism, reinforcing Vučić’s image as a besieged leader fighting against foreign and domestic “traitors,” rather than informing citizens with verified facts.
Propaganda Over Journalism
The Pink broadcast opened with dramatic claims that “foreign services in alliance with the mafia want to install obedient figures in Serbia.”
“Since Vučić declared war on criminal clans, his life has been under constant threat,” one anchor stated, accusing the independent media of “satanizing the president to make him a legitimate target.”
The program further tied the alleged arrests to “intensified activity of Albanian intelligence services” and espionage operations on Serbian soil — a frequent talking point in Pink’s pro-government programming.
Retired colonel Milan Milović, a regular guest on such programs, claimed that the plot could only be organized by foreign intelligence agencies or powerful criminal groups, insisting that “sniper operations require complex logistics beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.”
The Arrested Suspect and the Official Story
According to the MUP, the operation was carried out with the Security Information Agency (BIA), leading to the arrest of D.D., who is also facing charges for rape and alleged links to the Kavač clan, a notorious Balkan criminal network.
Government-friendly media, including Informer and Pink, emphasized D.D.’s criminal record while raising questions about “who ordered the attacks” — but offered no concrete evidence connecting the arrests to any political plot.
Meanwhile, independent outlets have highlighted the lack of transparency in the investigation and warned that the case may serve as a diversionary narrative amid growing political and economic tensions in Serbia.
As Serbia moves closer to another election cycle, TV Pink’s alignment with Vučić’s rhetoric continues to blur the line between journalism and state propaganda, promoting a message of loyalty, fear, and siege rather than balanced reporting.
“The truth is often lost beneath layers of orchestrated drama,” one media analyst told independent outlet Nova.rs. “Pink’s role is not to inform — it’s to perform.”
