Candidates from the Student List have called for the resignation of Serbia’s public broadcaster RTS leadership and news editors, while demanding greater transparency and independence from the country’s electronic media regulator, REM.
Candidates from Serbia’s Student List have published an open letter calling for the resignation of the leadership of Radio Television of Serbia (RTS), including its director-general and editors responsible for news programming.
The letter, published on the Instagram account “Students in Blockade” on October 27, 2026, was addressed to RTS management and its board, the Council of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM), and the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia.
The candidates said their demands were aimed at protecting the public interest, strengthening editorial independence and reducing political influence over the country’s public media service.
Students Accuse RTS of Biased Reporting
In the letter, the Student List candidates accused RTS leadership and its editorial staff of undermining public trust and failing to uphold professional journalistic standards.
They cited what they described as selective coverage of events of public importance, delayed reporting and insufficient attention to critical voices and independent experts.
The letter also accused the broadcaster of giving government representatives preferential treatment while failing to provide adequate coverage of student demands and public dissatisfaction.
The candidates argued that a public broadcaster must independently scrutinize statements made by public officials, verify claims and provide audiences with accurate information and relevant context.
They also raised concerns about the broadcast of what they described as stigmatizing or insulting messages directed at students and other citizens because of their views.
The candidates demanded the immediate resignation of RTS Director-General, his deputy, the editors-in-chief responsible for news programming and all editors within the news department.
Proposal for Interim RTS Management
The Student List candidates proposed that, following the resignations, RTS continue operating under temporary management until new leadership is selected through a lawful and transparent procedure.
According to the letter, the Student List would propose the composition of the interim administration in consultation with representative RTS trade unions.
The proposed interim leadership would be responsible for maintaining the broadcaster’s operations, protecting editorial independence and safeguarding the professional standing of journalists and other employees.
The candidates said the arrangement should remain temporary and ensure continuity while a new management team is appointed through the legally prescribed process.
REM Asked to Explain Decisions Concerning Informer
The letter also called on the Council of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media to act independently, transparently and without political interference.
The candidates specifically questioned why four REM Council members had reportedly voted against including the television channel Informer in election monitoring after previously expressing support for the measure.
They also sought explanations regarding disputes over expert findings in proceedings involving the broadcaster, which the candidates said had not been brought to a conclusion.
The letter characterized these developments as grounds for examining possible obstruction or external pressure. These are allegations raised by the Student List candidates and were not independently established in the letter.
The candidates demanded the publication of relevant documentation, individual voting results and explanations from the council members concerned.
They also called on REM to process complaints without unjustified delays, issue reasoned decisions, monitor broadcasters consistently and investigate potential violations involving discrimination, hate speech, violence and violations of personal dignity.
The candidates requested a public, reasoned response to their demands within seven days of receipt of the letter, including information about planned actions and deadlines.
They emphasized that the requested response period would not replace statutory deadlines governing individual cases.
Student List Pledges to Address Vacancies at REM
The candidates also addressed Serbia’s National Assembly, announcing that filling vacant positions on the REM Council would be among their parliamentary priorities as preparations begin for the constitution of the new legislature.
They said they would seek to initiate the procedure to fill the vacant seats and ensure that the council reaches its full composition of nine members.
The candidates pledged to support a transparent and lawful selection process based on professional qualifications and independence, while respecting the rights of authorized nominating bodies.
They said their objective was to establish an effective media regulator capable of enforcing the law without political pressure or interference in individual decisions.
The letter was signed by candidates of the Student List under the slogan “Students Win” and dated October 27, 2026, in Belgrade.
