European Federation of Journalists Concerned over Sale of United Group Media Outletse of United Group Media Outlets

EFJ

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and its members from Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro have expressed serious concern over the uncertainty facing media outlets operating within the Adria News Network (ANN), after the United Group confirmed it had sold them to the international Alpac Capital investment group.

“We are aware that any media company can undergo changes in ownership structure and that a change of ownership does not necessarily pose a threat to editorial independence. However, in this case, our concern is not abstract. It stems from the broader political and media context in which the independent and professional media in the region have long been exposed to pressure,” the EFJ and its member organizations said in a joint statement.

The transaction includes news media outlets operating within ANN - N1, Nova S, Vijesti, Danas, Radar and other media outlets in the region - employing more than 1,000 journalists and media workers and reaching more than 16 million people. Non-governmental organizations previously warned that the transaction could have serious consequences for media pluralism, editorial independence and the public interest in Serbia and the Western Balkans.

The statement, signed by the EFJ, the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia, the Association of Journalists of Serbia, the Nezavisnost Branch Trade Union of Culture, Art and the Media, the Trade Union of Croatian Journalists, the Croatian Journalists’ Association, the Slovenian Journalists’ Union, the Slovenian Association of Journalists, the BH Journalists Association and the Media Trade Union of Montenegro, expresses particular concern over the fact that Alpac Capital is the majority owner of the Euronews network.