In a striking display of defiance, Serbian demonstrators converged outside a pro-government television station on Saturday, denouncing it as a “propaganda tool” in their ongoing fight against state corruption. For nearly five months, these student-led protests have grown in intensity, fueled by a collective outrage over misinformation and media manipulation.
Armed with banners proclaiming “Manipulator, not a journalist,” and waving Serbian and university flags, the protestors gathered in front of Informer, a tabloid television channel notorious for its sensationalist reporting. Student organizer Bogdan Vucic, from the Belgrade Faculty of Political Science, articulated the sentiments of many: “Informer has been spreading numerous lies and falsehoods for a long time.”
The catalyst for these nationwide protests was a tragic incident last November when a roof at a newly-renovated train station in Novi Sad collapsed, resulting in fatalities. This event ignited a wave of activism among students, who have since faced fierce backlash from pro-government media outlets that have branded them as “foreign agents” and implied they are part of a broader conspiracy against the state.
Vucic revealed that one of his peers had become a target of harassment by both Informer and its tabloid counterpart. “They have published information about his family that goes against the most basic standards of decency, not to mention journalistic ethics,” he lamented. The Press Council, which monitors media conduct, reported over 600 violations of the Serbian journalists’ code of ethics by Informer in 2024 alone.
The media landscape in Serbia is dominated by outlets with close ties to the government, which often echo its narratives. Tabloid Kurir accused the students of “terrorizing Belgrade,” while Informer alleged they were funded by US interests—conspiracy theories that have become all too familiar in the region. Another pro-government broadcaster, Pink TV, suggested that the protests were backed by Kosovo, further stoking divisions.
“Such narratives create a violent atmosphere,” Vucic warned. “That’s why we want to put an end to what we could call very dirty propaganda.”
Despite being one of the most widely-read newspapers in Serbia, with over 57,000 copies printed daily, Informer’s influence is bolstered by state funding and advertising revenues. As independent media face increasing challenges, Slobodan Georgiev, news director of NOVA S, highlighted the dire conditions for journalistic integrity in Serbia. “The situation for independent media is increasingly dire,” he noted, with many outlets teetering on the brink of disappearance.
Independent journalists encounter relentless pressure, from vindictive lawsuits to public smear campaigns. President Aleksandar Vucic himself labeled a journalist covering the protests an “imbecile colluding with the demonstrators,” prompting a wave of dissent among reporters.
In response to the growing tensions, students have taken to blocking the headquarters of Serbian national television (RTS) and traversing the country to reach smaller towns where state media dominate. Their resolve underscores a crucial battle for truth in the face of manipulation.
As the protests continue to unfold, the future of media freedom in Serbia hangs in the balance, with students and journalists alike standing firm against the tide of propaganda.
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