The SafeJournalists Network expresses concern over the growing cross-border concentration of media, distribution and telecommunications power in the Western Balkans. The expansion of Telekom Srbija, a majority state-owned company, and its media network across several countries in the region, alongside the sale of Adria News Network (ANN), raises serious questions about media pluralism, editorial independence and citizens’ right to access diverse and independent sources of information.

In recent years, Telekom Srbija has been expanding its presence beyond Serbia through telecommunications services, distribution, content production and media brands, with North Macedonia being no exception.

At the same time, the sale of Adria News Network is an issue of both regional and European significance. ANN brings together some of the region’s most prominent news media, including N1, Nova, Danas and Radar, with newsrooms and audiences across several countries. A change of control over such a network should therefore not be assessed solely as a commercial transaction, but also in terms of its potential impact on media pluralism and editorial independence.

The need for full transparency is further underlined by previously published information concerning the financing of Alpac Capital’s acquisition of Euronews, including capital linked to the Hungarian state. This information does not in itself constitute direct evidence of political control over ANN, but it provides sufficient grounds for the competent authorities to ensure full transparency regarding sources of financing, ultimate beneficial ownership and any potential conflicts of interest.

The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) establishes relevant standards for such processes. Article 2 protects citizens’ right to access a plurality of editorially independent media content, while Article 6 requires transparency of direct and indirect media ownership and safeguards for editorial independence.

Of particular relevance are the EMFA provisions requiring media concentrations that may have a significant impact on media pluralism and editorial independence to undergo a specific assessment. Such assessments should take into account their impact on the formation of public opinion and the diversity of media offers, links with other media and non-media interests, and the existence of effective safeguards for editorial independence.

“We call on the European institutions to act with particular caution and closely monitor these developments. The concentration of media, distribution and economic power across national borders can very easily affect editorial independence and the ability of journalists to perform their work freely. This is not an issue concerning only one company or one country. Such developments can have serious cross-border effects, including in European Union Member States, and therefore pose a broader threat to media pluralism and freedom of expression at the European level. We therefore expect the European Commission, the European Board for Media Services and other competent European institutions to make use of the mechanisms available to them and respond in a timely manner if risks to editorial independence emerge,” said Maja Sever, President of the European Federation of Journalists.

The SafeJournalists Network calls on national media regulators, competition authorities, the European Board for Media Services and the European Commission to carefully assess relevant cross-border ownership changes and transactions, with particular attention to their impact on media pluralism and editorial independence.

The formal number of media brands alone does not guarantee pluralism. Genuine media pluralism exists only when citizens have a real choice between independent editorial voices and when journalists are able to work free from political, ownership and economic pressure.

Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica – Tirana, 9 September 2026

Association of Journalists of Albania

Association of Journalists of Kosovo

Association of Journalists of Macedonia

BH Journalists Association

Croatian Journalists’ Association

Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia

Trade Union of Media of Montenegro