As part of the program Regional Initiative for combating disinformation “Western Balkans Combatting disinformation Center: Exposing malicious influences through fact-checking and Analytical Journalism“, we present you a new analysis of fake news and disinformation narratives
They have gone too far: Croats openly participating in the undermining of Serbia – Here’s who they are inviting to the major protest
https://informer.rs/politika/vesti/1062871/hrvati-blokade-srbija-nasilje-protest
On Saturday, 1 November 2025, a gathering of citizens was held to mark one year since the collapse of the canopy in Novi Sad. For the past year, a continuous struggle has been taking place between the authorities, pro-government media, and citizens protesting against corruption. Although this was not a conventional protest but rather a commemorative gathering of citizens wishing to honor the victims, pro-government media attempted to sabotage it through their headlines and false reports.
Since there was no clear reason to present the gathering as a politically motivated protest or a “destabilization attempt,” media outlets aligned with the government focused attention on a completely different topic: relations with Croatia. For example, the tabloid Informer published an article under the headline: “Croats openly participating in the undermining of Serbia – Here’s who they are inviting to the major protest”, claiming that they “support blockers, rioters, and terrorists.” In this way, the aim was to divert public attention from the essence of the gathering—remembering the victims and calling for accountability—toward a nationalist narrative and the creation of foreign policy adversaries.
Such claims represent a continuation of efforts to direct public attention toward external “enemies” rather than toward the responsibility of domestic institutions. By asserting that “Croatian media are being pushed at the behest of their intelligence services,” Informer further amplifies the narrative of foreign influence and coordinated attacks on Serbia. Consequently, the commemorative gathering in Novi Sad, instead of being presented as a dignified remembrance of the victims, is depicted as part of a broader conspiracy against the state and its interests.
The pro-government tabloid Informer also claims in its headline that Croats want to provoke a civil war at any cost: “Croatian media are being pushed at the behest of their intelligence services.” It is not at all clear which civil war the article refers to. A civil war is an internal conflict, and the alleged conflict between Serbia and Croatia cannot, by definition, be a civil war. Through such inflammatory statements, which evoke the rhetoric of the 1990s, Informer attempts to revive negative emotions toward neighboring countries and deepen hostility between the two peoples.
In addition to spreading disinformation and manipulative narratives that have significantly impacted the safety of students and citizens involved in protests over the past year, independent journalists reporting on them have been particularly targeted. For this reason, the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) stated that, due to the deteriorating security situation and frequent incidents during public gatherings, it has acquired protective helmets and vests for journalists and photo-reporters. NUNS warned that nearly 300 cases of threats, pressure, and attacks on media workers have been recorded since the beginning of the year, indicating that their safety is seriously compromised. The acquisition of protective equipment, as noted, serves purely preventive purposes and represents an attempt to safeguard journalists during mass events and protests, which often spiral out of control.
This statement reflects the worrying state of media freedom and journalist safety in Serbia. Instead of being perceived as an appeal for protection and professional working conditions, pro-government media present it as a warning of unrest and danger to the state. Informer was among the first to respond, again attempting to portray the commemorative gathering of students and citizens as a potential threat, claiming that there is fear that students are ready to create chaos across the country.
This interpretation aims to further discredit the protests and citizens who peacefully gathered in Novi Sad and to spread fear among those more susceptible to manipulative content, as they watch and read media cooperating with the ruling party. Unfortunately, such media are the most accessible to the wider population, particularly to those who lack cable television or access to independent digital platforms.
Author: Nataša Stanojević
