Serbia's Protest Coverage Takes a Dramatic Turn: State Media Faces Backlash

In a surprising twist, Serbian state media has changed its coverage approach, now highlighting the ongoing protests against President Aleksandar Vucic, indicating a significant shift in political dynamics.

Tens of thousands of protesters recently took to the streets, blocking three major bridges over the Danube River in Novi Sad, Serbia's second-largest city. In an unexpected response, the Serbian government has issued stern warnings not to the protesters but to the state broadcaster, Radio Television Serbia (RTS), which has generally aligned with President Vucic’s narrative. After a three-month period of relative silence on the protests, RTS began prominently featuring the demonstrations in its news reports over the weekend.

The government’s complaints followed RTS’s objective coverage of the protests, which notably avoided labeling demonstrators as foreign agents or opposition puppets. This departure from the norm marks a significant moment for the state-controlled media, which has traditionally served as a mouthpiece for Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party. The party accused the broadcaster of "scandalous reporting," asserting that it was undermining the constitutional order.

This sudden shift in the media landscape suggests a potential shift in public sentiment and the governing party's tightening grip on power, which has relied heavily on controlling the narrative surrounding dissent. As the protests continue, many are left wondering if this marks a turning point for both Serbian media and the political landscape as a whole.

As protests persist and public frustration grows, the relationship between the government and the state media is under scrutiny, hinting at possible rifts within the ruling Serbian Progressive Party.