The recent acquisition of several Serbian media outlets by the Portuguese company Alpak Kapital has sparked significant concern among media unions regarding the potential impact on journalistic independence and editorial integrity. The takeover, which includes prominent outlets such as Nova.rs, Radar, N1, and Forbes, has been met with condemnation from their respective unions. They have expressed apprehension over the manner in which the acquisition was conducted and the implications it may have for the future of independent journalism in Serbia.
Pedro Vargas Santos David, the owner of Alpak Kapital, has been appointed as the director of these media outlets without prior notification to the employees, according to a statement from the unions. This development occurred during the summer holiday period, which the unions argue has exacerbated concerns among staff. The unions suspect that the rapid transition is part of a broader strategy by Alpak Kapital to exert control over the editorial direction of these media outlets, potentially aligning them with the preferences of the current political regime.
The unions have highlighted their fears that the new ownership may lead to further changes in editorial leadership, which could compromise the independence and professionalism of the media organizations involved. They have called for a meeting with the new director and have demanded written assurances that the editorial policies and positions of editors and journalists will remain unaffected by the ownership change.
The unions’ statement underscores their commitment to maintaining journalistic integrity and serving the public interest, despite the pressures they face. They emphasize that the media should not be treated merely as a business venture but as a public trust that answers to the public and serves the public interest above ownership interests. The unions have vowed to continue resisting any attempts to undermine their independence and have reiterated their dedication to upholding the highest standards of journalism.
The appointment of Pedro Vargas Santos David as director was officially registered with the Serbian Business Registers Agency, and the changes in leadership have already seen several directors replaced, including Mihailo Jovićević of Nova, Aleksandra Mitić of Danas, and Brent Sadler of Adria News. Despite these changes, the editorial team at N1 has stated that they will continue to operate under the same professional principles and standards, maintaining full editorial responsibility for their content.
This takeover is part of a broader acquisition process of Adria News Network (ANN) by Alpak Kapital, which is proceeding according to previously announced plans. However, the unions have expressed skepticism about the intentions behind these moves, citing a lack of trust in the actions taken by the management of Adria News Network thus far.
The situation has raised questions about the future of media independence in Serbia, a country where media freedom has been a contentious issue. The unions’ demands for transparency and assurances of editorial independence reflect broader concerns about the potential for increased political influence over media content. As the situation develops, the response from the public and other media organizations will be crucial in determining the impact of this takeover on the Serbian media landscape.
