Illustration: Truthmeter.mk
This article was first published by Truthmeter.mk (North Macedonia), within the framework of Western Balkans Anti-Disinformation Project.
Investigative media outlets have released an audio recording of a telephone conversation between Stan Miller, CEO of United Group, and Vladimir Lučić, CEO of Telekom Srbija and a close associate of President Aleksandar Vučić. This conversation between Lučić and Miller led to numerous allegations that the Serbian president allegedly demanded the removal of one of the key figures in the United Media company–Aleksandra Subotić, under whose management the media outlets N1, Nova S, Danas, and Radar operate
Author: Miroslava Simonovska
A huge media controversy and a tsunami of reactions have swept neighboring Serbia after investigative media outlets “Krik” and OCCRP published a telephone conversation that they claim is evidence of a conspiracy to weaken critical Serbian media outlets by United Group, including the famous N1 television. The telephone conversation also mentions that the change of the director of United Group was allegedly requested by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić himself. Vučić denied that he requested such a thing, but the reactions are not subsiding.
Investigative media outlets have released an audio recording of a telephone conversation between Stan Miller, CEO of United Group, and Vladimir Lučić, who is the director of Telekom Srbija and a close associate of President Aleksandar Vučić. This conversation between Lučić and Miller has led to numerous accusations that the Serbian president allegedly demanded the replacement of one of the key figures in the United Media company–Aleksandra Subotić, under whose management the media outlets N1, Nova S, Danas, and Radar operate. In the telephone conversation, which caused tectonic reactions in Serbia and which are complemented by the anti-government demonstrations that have been taking place in Belgrade and other cities for months, Miller explains to Lučić that before replacing Subotić, he must first weaken the company that he himself leads.
I have to make that company very small in Serbia, you can hear in the conversation published by journalists.
United Media is a branch of United Group, a Dutch telecommunications and media conglomerate that operates several media outlets in Serbia, including N1. In recent months, when most Serbian media outlets have been covering anti-government protests, reflecting the pro-government narrative of alleged state destabilization, N1 TV and United Group media outlets have distanced themselves from this narrative. They have broadcast live coverage of the protests, investigated corruption, and have emerged as important platforms for broadcasting opposition voices. Their editorial policies are under threat following the publication of the phone call.
Editorial policy under threat
The President of the European Federation of Journalists, Maja Sever, immediately after the publication of the telephone conversation that became the main topic among Serbian media outlets–and the scandal was also reported across media outlets in the region–stated that aside from the concerning situation involving “United Media,” the issue is troubling not only for people in Serbia but should also be a matter of concern for many across the European Union.
“What we feared is happening. Aleksandar Vučić is achieving what he set out to do, to subdue the last media outlets that manage to report freely. The moment the President of Serbia achieves his goal, almost complete darkness will reign in Serbia,” Sever reacted.
Slovene Association of Journalists also joined in with its own reaction, indicating that they are closely and with concern following media developments in Serbia, which could have serious consequences for both the Slovenian N1 and the public.
The silencing of one of the last independent media outlets in Serbia could have catastrophic consequences for media freedom, democracy, and stability in the region. N1 in Serbia is one of the few media outlets that has been resisting government pressure on independent journalism for years. It reports credibly and with dignity to the public about events in Serbia, including anti-government protests, while most of the media outlets in Serbia are under the direct control of the Serbian authorities. By silencing N1 in Serbia, the voice of independent journalism would be silenced, the authorities would subjugate practically the entire media space, which, given the current events in Serbia, where protests have been going on for more than 8 months, is an even more sensitive issue, Slovene Association of Journalists reacts.
The director of the weekly “Vreme” Stevan Ristić is one of dozens of media professionals who came forward with their own stance and reaction to the scandal following the published recording and transcript.
For the media outlets owned by “United Media,” the public is truly the only salvation at this moment and that voice of the public should be heard all the way to Brussels and London. I believe that in the investment fund “BC Partners” there are certainly people who experience this as a reputational disaster, because they are in different businesses and no one needs this, said the director of the weekly.
Rumors that the Serbian government is trying to neutralize N1 and five other United Media outlets in Serbia have been circulating among journalists, the opposition, and the general public for some time. However, new evidence published by OCCRP provides the clearest indication yet that Vučić’s allies have been hatching plans to pacify the broadcaster.
OCCRP reports in the article that they have seen no evidence that Aleksandar Vučić ordered Lučić or anyone else to impose changes at N1. However, comments made by Vučić in an interview with the pro-government Pink TV suggest that he knew that a reorganization was coming. Vučić told Pink that some N1 staff members would be laid off in November.
Asked to comment on the journalists’ investigation, Subotić, who led United Media for almost 15 years, said it was “unacceptable that a manager appointed by the investment fund BC Partners is discussing her dismissal with the CEO of a competing company, especially Telekom Srbija.” Subotić stressed that she would not allow political or economic pressures to influence the editorial policy of the media outlets under her management.
Vučić denies interfering with media independence
Aleksandar Vučić denied that he had tried to impose control over the editorial policy of media outlets and added that “he doesn’t have to answer to all the nonsense when someone mentions him,” as well as that he knows nothing about the director of “United Media” Aleksandra Subotić. However, he confirmed that he had met with the businessman from “BC Partners”—Nikos Stathopoulos, who is mentioned in the telephone conversation.
“I met publicly in Davos with Nikos, who was some kind of boss at BC Partners, because that is my obligation due to investments in Serbia. And I did not hide anything. So that you do not ask me nonsense about some woman who I saw once in my office, I mean Mrs. Subotić, I do not know anything about her,” Vučić said.
Vučić, in response to the comment that he wants to shut down the media outlets in “United Media,” stressed that he would have shut them down a long time ago if he wanted to do so, adding that “they are fighting inside themselves.”
One of the two interlocutors in the published telephone conversation, Telekom Srbija director Vladimir Lučić, later stated that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić never demanded the dismissal of Aleksandra Subotić.
The conversation with Mr. Miller did not discuss media outlets owned by United Group, nor would anyone dare to influence the editorial policy of those media outlets, says Lučić.
He announced criminal proceedings against the media outlets that published the audio recording because they did not previously send it to him to check whether it was authentic.
Since this did not happen, criminal proceedings will be initiated against the media outlet that published the recording for causing reputational damage, and the court will additionally be required to determine the authenticity of the recording, announced the director of “Telekom Srbija” Vladimir Lučić.
United Group stated that the conversation published by journalists was incomplete, that it was about regular routine business communications, and that Director Subotić would remain in her position.
The public remains keenly interested in these turmoils and their possible consequences for the media landscape in Serbia. The country’s leadership faces increasing criticism from foreign media outlets for authoritarian rule and silencing critical voices amid months of anti-government protests.
