In brief
Recent demonstrations in Novi Sad reveal a notable pivot in Serbia's media landscape as reports on protests gain traction against a backdrop of prior censorship.
When tens of thousands gathered in Novi Sad to block three significant bridges over the Danube River, they paralyzed Serbia’s second-largest city this past weekend. This monumental act of civil dissent prompted the ruling Serbian Progressive Party to direct its ire not at the demonstrators but at the state-run broadcaster, Radio Television Serbia, which has largely ignored the protests over the last three months.Historically, the media outlet has served as a mouthpiece for President Aleksandar Vucic, often downplaying or dismissing the protests stemming from student-led movements nationwide. However, in a surprising turn of events, the broadcaster spotlighted the demonstrations in Novi Sad, ranking them high on its news agenda for the first time. Crucially, it reported on the events without the usual negative framing that has characterized the government's portrayal of dissenters, such as labeling them as foreign agents or opposition puppets.Following this unexpected coverage, the Serbian Progressive Party issued a rare public denouncement, describing the media's reporting as “scandalous” and suggesting that it was improperly siding with political elements seeking to destabilize the nation’s constitutional framework. Media control has been a cornerstone of Vucic's administration, enabling his government to undermine protests by casting demonstrators in a negative light, thereby consolidating power over the past 12 years. This new coverage shift raises pressing questions about the media's role in politics, potential shifts in public sentiment, and what this could mean for future governance in Serbia.
