Serbia’s Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) has imposed a seven-day ban on the broadcasting of news programmes by TV Informer, a television channel closely aligned with Aleksandar Vučić and his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
The decision was adopted unanimously at Wednesday’s REM Council meeting, prohibiting the broadcast of the news programme Prva Info, according to Nova.rs.
TV Informer is known for its pro-government editorial stance and its support for Vučić’s policies. The channel has repeatedly faced criticism over its reporting, particularly its treatment of political opponents and student protesters challenging the government.
During the same meeting, REM also initiated proceedings against Kurir, Prva, K1 and V5 television in Valjevo over suspected violations of media service regulations. Representatives of these broadcasters will be invited to the Council’s next meeting.
The decision comes amid growing public criticism of Informer. On 26 October, dozens of citizens entered the television station’s offices in Belgrade and interrupted its live broadcast. Among them was Dijana Hrka, the mother of one of the victims of the Novi Sad railway station tragedy, who demanded answers from editor-in-chief Dragan J. Vučićević over the channel’s coverage of the tragedy and student protests. Police intervened following verbal confrontations.
A seven-day broadcasting ban raises a bigger question about media accountability in Serbia: who has been monitoring the broadcasters that shape public opinion, and why has it taken so long for the regulator to act?
