[REVISION HISTORY]

Leadership changes at Serbian public broadcasters

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What changed

2026-10-29 16:36 UTC → 2026-10-29 16:45 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Public service broadcasters in Serbia have undergone significant leadership shifts following accusations of bias and lack of objectivity. Radio-televizija Vojvodine (RTV) issued a public apology during a news broadcast, admitting the provider failed its mission through one-sided reporting. This led to several resignations and appointments, including Nenad Ćaćić as acting editor-in-chief of the First TV Program, who was replaced by Blažo Popović, and Predrag Novković as program director. Following the decisive election victory of the ‘Student List’—a movement emerging from student protests—Manja Grčić resigned as General Director of Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) on October 28. Grčić, who stated her departure was intended to prevent her presence from being viewed as “an obstacle to change,” called on the Board of Directors to ensure a legal transition. Her resignation follows the electoral defeat of Aleksandar Vučić, whose administration was noted for maintaining strict control over Serbian media. Reporters Without Borders ranked Serbia 104th in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, its lowest position to date. In the wake of Grčić’s departure, Borivoje Uskoković, an appointee of Grčić, assumed the role of acting editor-in-chief of the news program. Uskoković has since dismissed eight editors, including Zoran Stanojević and Gorislav Papić, citing failures to work in accordance with the “public interest or journalistic profession.” Meanwhile, RTS Board President Branislav Klanšček maintained that no emergency session occurred to appoint a new acting director, noting the Board must meet to select a successor who meets specific legal criteria, such as ten years of management experience. The student-backed movement, which secured 52.8% of the vote, had previously demanded the resignation of the RTS Director-General, deputy, and entire editorial team.

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