A series of protests has broken out across Europe and North America after revelations suggested that United Group, a Dutch-based media conglomerate, may be working in tandem with Serbia’s state-owned Telekom Srbija to weaken one of the last remaining bastions of independent journalism in the country. The controversy underscores the fragile state of press freedom in Serbia and the growing role of foreign companies in shaping its media landscape.

Outside a sleek office block near Amsterdam’s Schiphol International Airport, about 20 Serbian diaspora activists recently gathered to stage a protest against United Group B.V. Their presence, marked by handmade placards and a solemn moment of silence, was intended to draw attention to allegations that the company is undermining United Media, its own subsidiary, which owns several outlets in Serbia, including the respected broadcaster N1.

The demonstration coincided with reports published by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and its Serbian partner KRIK, which detailed a leaked recording between Stan Miller, CEO of United Group, and Vladimir Lu?i?, head of Telekom Srbija. Protesters held banners reading “N1 for all, all for N1,” signaling solidarity with United Media’s embattled leadership.

“It is shocking a Dutch company would try to limit media freedom in Serbia,” said protest organizer Dunja Raduluv, who described the move as a betrayal of democratic values.

The controversy centers around a secretly recorded conversation in which Miller and Lu?i? discussed removing Aleksandra Suboti?, the CEO of United Media. Suboti? is widely seen as a staunch defender of editorial independence, steering her outlets through intense political pressure during a period of sustained anti-government protests in Serbia.

According to OCCRP and KRIK, the recording revealed that both sides were strategizing over Suboti?’s removal, an act that many fear could open the door to editorial interference and government influence over one of the few networks critical of President Aleksandar Vu?i?’s administration.

While United Group confirmed the authenticity of the recording, it claimed that the leaked audio was “incomplete” and taken out of context. In a statement to OCCRP on September 4, the company insisted: “The current management of the United Group has never interfered, and has no plans to interfere, with the editorial independence of its news outlets in Serbia or elsewhere.”

United Group characterized the exchange with Telekom Srbija as a “business discussion,” tied to the sale of certain media assets. But critics argue that the potential ouster of Suboti? cannot be divorced from the wider political environment in Serbia, where ruling party loyalists have sought to consolidate control over the press.

Independent journalism in Serbia has been under siege for years. Watchdogs like Reporters Without Borders and Freedom House have downgraded Serbia’s press freedom rankings amid escalating threats, smear campaigns, and legal harassment against critical media outlets. N1, part of United Media, has long been a thorn in the side of Vu?i?’s government due to its rigorous reporting on corruption and authoritarian practices.

Removing Suboti?, activists fear, would effectively weaken United Media’s ability to withstand political and commercial pressure. “United Group should protect United Media from the assaults and attacks from political institutions in Serbia and those who seek to destroy it,” said Serge Baji?, another protester in Amsterdam.

The Schiphol protest was not an isolated event. On August 31, members of the Serbian diaspora staged a similar demonstration in New York City, drawing attention outside United Group’s offices there. A third protest is planned for London on September 6, suggesting a growing international campaign by Serbs abroad to pressure United Group into reaffirming its commitment to editorial independence.

For the diaspora, the issue cuts deep. Many left Serbia in search of a freer, more democratic society but remain tied to the country through family, culture, and media. Ensuring that independent voices like N1 remain unshackled by political interference has become a central cause for those who view media freedom as essential to Serbia’s democratic future.

United Group, founded in the Balkans and now headquartered in the Netherlands, has grown into a powerful regional player in telecommunications and media. Its portfolio spans several countries, making it both a commercial powerhouse and a gatekeeper of information. But with that power comes scrutiny.

The company insists it has no intention of censoring or controlling its Serbian outlets. Still, its cooperation with Telekom Srbija-an entity firmly under the sway of Aleksandar Vu?i?’s government-has fueled suspicions that business interests are being prioritized over press freedom.

Critics note that while multinational conglomerates often stress their commitment to free expression, the reality on the ground can be far murkier, especially when commercial deals intersect with political influence.

The protests outside United Group’s offices are emblematic of a wider struggle in Serbia, where mass demonstrations have continued for nine months against corruption, election irregularities, and authoritarianism. Media independence has emerged as a core grievance, with opposition activists arguing that without a free press, other reforms become impossible.

For protesters like Raduluv, the fight is not simply about one executive or one broadcaster. “This is about whether Serbs will have access to real news, or only propaganda,” she said. “If N1 falls, the last barrier to full government control of the media will be gone.”

United Group now faces mounting pressure-not only from activists, but also from international observers who will be watching whether the company stands by its stated principles. Any move against Suboti? could trigger a backlash, damaging United Group’s reputation as a custodian of independent media and fueling further protests.

Meanwhile, the diaspora’s campaign is expected to intensify, leveraging public demonstrations and international attention to hold the company accountable. The outcome may determine not only the future of United Media but also the trajectory of press freedom in Serbia itself.

As the chants outside Schiphol’s business park echoed under the roar of departing airplanes, the message was clear: Serbs at home and abroad are unwilling to let one of their last independent voices be silenced.

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Source: Weekly Blitz :: Writings