Monitoring Media Pluralism in the Digital Era - Country report: Serbia

Since 2014, the Centre For Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (CMPF) has published the Media Pluralism Monitor report, an in-depth study of media systems in Europe to assess the level of media pluralism and independence. In 2023, the MPM report focused on media pluralism in the digital era. It covered four main thematic areas based on 20 indicators: fundamental protection, market plurality, political independence, and social inclusiveness.

The 2023 Country Report on Serbia warns that the country is at high risk in two of the four categories, i. e. market plurality and political independence (77% and 74% respectively). The lack of political will to adequately implement the Media Strategy adopted in 2020 is cited as a major cause for the absence of a functional and fair media market and the growing level of political influence that threatens the editorial autonomy of media outlets.

As far as the digital environment is concerned, the report points out specific risks concerning the use of social networks, underlining a significant lack of application of regulations and norms in the digital sphere.

Overall, media freedom continues to deteriorate, with poor working conditions and journalists being targets of serious threats. The number of SLAPP cases also continues to grow at a rapid pace. These conditions explain why the authors referred to journalism as an “endangered profession”.

The report finally calls for the adoption of better laws, especially to increase the protection of editorial independence, better regulate political advertising, and monitor and counter the spread of disinformation.