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Alpac Capital takes control of Adria News Network media group
Alpac Capital has assumed management control of the Adria News Network (ANN), a media group operating across Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia. This takeover includes major independent outlets such as N1, Nova S, Danas, and Radar. Following the acquisition, several high-level executives were replaced, including the director of N1 Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Luxembourg government has warned of potential sanctions because these leadership changes were implemented before the formal approval of the sale by Luxembourgish authorities. The ministry stated that any change in control must receive prior authorization.
In Serbia, the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications issued an open letter to Alpac Capital owner Pedro Vargas, urging the registration of N1 and Nova S with the Serbian regulator (REM). This move has been condemned by the Independent Journalists Association of Serbia (NUNS) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) as unacceptable political pressure intended to influence editorial independence and silence free media ahead of elections.
While N1 has stated that its editorial operations will maintain their professional standards and autonomy, journalists' associations in Bosnia and Herzegovina are demanding public guarantees to protect editorial independence from new ownership interests.
Entities
Adria News Network · Alpac Capital · Luxembourg Government · N1 · Nova S · Pedro Vargas Santos David
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Luxembourg government may initiate sanction proceedings due to leadership changes at N1, Nova, Radar, and Danas before the sale to Alpac Capital was approved. www.delo.si · www.nedeljnik.rs · media.ba · www.times.si
- [● 3 SOURCES] Pedro Vargas Santos David has been appointed as the director for the companies through which major independent Serbian media operate. eco.sapo.pt · www.nedeljnik.rs
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Serbian Ministry of Information called on Alpac Capital owner Pedro Vargas to register N1 and Nova S with the Serbian regulator (REM). autonomija.info · www.masina.rs · beta.rs
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Independent Journalists Association of Serbia (NUNS) condemned the Serbian Ministry's open letter to Alpac Capital as unacceptable political pressure on media independence. naslovi.net · www.masina.rs · beta.rs
- [● 4 SOURCES] Alpac Capital has taken management control of Adria News Network (ANN) media outlets, including N1 and Nova S, across Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia. www.delo.si · eco.sapo.pt · media.ba · www.times.si
- [● 2 SOURCES] N1 stated that its editorial team will continue to operate according to the same professional standards and principles as before. eco.sapo.pt