Media funding and transparency face scrutiny in Serbia and Slovenia

In Serbia, reports indicate that nearly two billion dinars of public funds have been allocated to media outlets this year, with significant portions reportedly going to organizations that violate professional standards and spread disinformation. Zoran Gavrilović of the Bureau for Social Research (BIRODI) notes that while regulations exist to penalize outlets for ethical breaches, these criteria often lack sufficient influence on final funding decisions. Organizations like ANEM have criticized the system for selective application of rules and a lack of institutional oversight.

In Slovenia, RTV Slovenija is facing financial and liquidity crises amid public criticism regarding its reporting and salary structures. Journalist Erika Žnidaršič has publicly criticized the public broadcaster, alleging that the current system allows some individuals to receive high salaries while others are undercompensated or restricted in their work. Reports indicate that top earners at the national broadcaster receive significantly higher wages than investigative journalists, contributing to growing public dissatisfaction with how public funds are utilized.