Freedom House: Media freedom and democracy on the decline in Serbia

For the fourth consecutive year, the state of democracy in Serbia has deteriorated – on the issues of media independence, the civil sector, state administration and local government, while power is continuing to be concentrated in the hands of President Aleksandar Vučić, according to the latest Freedom House report on countries in transition.

In the area of media independence, Serbia has received its lowest rating in the last ten years.

According to the report, this is a result of continuing purges of independent journalists, a stifling atmosphere for critical media, and financial and other pressures on the few remaining independent outlets.

The report also recalls that journalist associations reported an increase in the number of attacks on journalists, including organised harangues by tabloids close to the ruling party following revelations of government corruption by investigative journalists.