Journalists and citizens gathered outside the offices of N1 in Belgrade to express support for the newsroom, following the dismissal of its director, Igor Božić, and growing concerns over potential editorial interference.
The crowd included media professionals, public figures, and citizens, who greeted N1 journalists with applause and banners reading “N1 is not alone,” signaling solidarity amid mounting tensions within the outlet.
The rally followed an earlier protest by N1 employees after Božić was informed by new management that he had been removed from his position. The company expects to clarify his future role in the coming days. Meanwhile, staff held a meeting with the newly appointed news executive, Brent Sadler, but reports indicate that concerns over editorial independence persist.
At the same time, the European Commission said it is closely monitoring the situation as part of Serbia’s EU accession process.
Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier reiterated that media freedom and pluralism are fundamental values of the European Union and essential pillars of a democratic society.
The Commission emphasized that safeguarding editorial independence is a core principle of the European Media Freedom Act, adding that candidate countries are expected not only to align their legislation with EU standards but also to implement them in practice fully.
“Independent media must be able to perform their role as watchdogs of public authority, ensuring transparency and accountability of institutions and public officials,” the statement emphasized.
The developments surrounding N1 have thus moved beyond a domestic media issue and gained broader European significance. Both the public show of support and the response from Brussels highlight that editorial autonomy and media freedom remain key tests of democratic standards in Serbia.
