The Social Research Office (BIRODI) has lodged complaints with the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) against media outlets controlled by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, specifically RTS, TV Pink, and Prva TV. According to the complaints, these media entities, operating under Vučić’s directives, have engaged in the censorship of information regarding citizen protests against the proposed lithium mine. This information was reported by N1, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding environmental concerns in Serbia. BIRODI took to its X profile to remind the public that protests against lithium and boron mining have been organized in numerous cities across Serbia, indicating a widespread discontent among the populace.
Recent protests took place in Kosjerić and Mladenovac, where citizens expressed their opposition to the establishment of lithium and boron mines in Serbia. The demonstrators articulated their strong stance against these mining projects, emphasizing their desire to protect the environment and local communities from potential harm. The protests gained momentum following the approval of a controversial new regulation on July 16 during a session of the Serbian government, which effectively revived the contentious Jadar project regulation from 2020. This revival has sparked outrage, as it contradicts the significant public opposition that had been voiced for over two years.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the Serbian government had previously rescinded the original regulation through a decree in 2022, which now raises questions about its constitutionality. The Constitutional Court of Serbia ruled that the second regulation was unconstitutional, clarifying that it did not reinstate the first regulation. In a surprising turn, the government has now introduced a third regulation, which effectively reaffirms the validity of the first regulation. This series of legal maneuvers has left many citizens feeling frustrated and confused, as they continue to advocate for their rights and the preservation of their environment against the backdrop of governmental decisions that seem to disregard public sentiment.
