Serbian media public funding controversies

Concerns have emerged regarding the distribution and management of public funds within the Serbian media landscape. Journalistic and media associations, including ANEM, NUNS, and UNS, have called on the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications to suspend the 2027 media project co-financing application process. These organizations allege that the current system contains irregularities and violates the Journalists Code of Serbia, noting that significant funds have been awarded to outlets that frequently violate professional standards.

Reports indicate that certain media entities, such as Alo and Informer, received over 185.3 million dinars in previous rounds. Associations also highlighted that commissions have approved projects from entities established immediately before application calls or those lacking required legal imprints. These concerns reflect findings from the European Commission’s 2026 Progress Report, which stated that public funds continued to be allocated to media outlets close to authorities despite warnings of procedural irregularities.

Specific financial struggles have also been reported, such as the severe crisis facing the Novi Sad based newspaper Dnevnik. Despite receiving millions in state subsidies, the publisher reported blocked accounts due to tax debt and accumulated losses. Additionally, investigations by Raskrikavanje have raised questions about taxpayer money being allocated to media groups with unproven readership, including various networks of local portals and stations.