N1 Editors Appeal For Independence Assurances

N1 channels are an important part of ENEX’s network in South East Europe. N1 editors have asked us to share the following appeal to preserve the independence of all editorial teams:

Dear Esteemed Representatives of the Journalistic Community,

We, the editors of media outlets operating within United Media, a member of United Group (UG), are deeply concerned and dismayed by the recent decision of BC Partners, the majority shareholder of UG, to remove Mr. Dragan Šolak, the founder of the company, and Ms. Victoriya Boklag, the Group’s CEO, from their respective positions.

This decision, coming without public explanation, raises serious concerns among journalists and editors across our media network. From the outset, Mr. Šolak has been a consistent and principled advocate for independent journalism in the Balkans. In an environment of sustained and coordinated attacks by authoritarian-leaning regimes—particularly in Serbia—Mr. Šolak provided unwavering support and protection for editorial independence, even under immense political and economic pressure.

Any other businessperson would likely have yielded to such relentless assaults: smear campaigns, regulatory harassment, and direct interference. Yet Mr. Šolak believed in our mission—to serve the public with accurate, professional, and independent journalism—and resisted every attempt to compromise our editorial freedom.

We are concerned that the sudden removal of both Mr. Šolak and Ms. Boklag may signal that BC Partners has come under political pressure and is opening the door to editorial influence by governments and interests hostile to press freedom. This would constitute a severe blow to one of the rare bastions of independent journalism in Southeastern Europe.

We therefore issue the following appeal:

• That BC Partners reaffirm their commitment to preserving the independence of all editorial teams within United Media.
• That no staffing or managerial changes be made that would undermine or erode this independence.
• That European institutions and journalist protection organizations actively monitor the situation and help safeguard one of the last remaining strongholds of free and professional journalism in the Balkans.

Journalists working within United Media have faced threats, intimidation, and smear campaigns precisely because they remained independent. They report truthfully and courageously, in service of the public interest.

The media outlets within our network are not merely businesses—they are crucial public institutions that provide accurate, verified information to millions of citizens in countries where democratic standards and media freedoms are under increasing threat.

We urge you to recognize the potential consequences of this shift and to take a stand—before political influence replaces journalistic integrity in one of the few remaining platforms for free expression in our region.

Respectfully,

Editors of United Media

Igor Božić N1 Serbia News Director 

Tihomir Ladišić N1 Croatia News Director 

Amir Zukić N1 Bosnia and Hercegovina News Director 

Katja Šeruga N1 Slovenija News Director 

Slobodan Georgiev News Director Nova Serbia 

Mihailo Jovićević Editor in chief Nova.rs 

Ranko Pivljanin Editor in chief Nova daily 

Dragoljub Petrović Editor in chief Danas daily 

Vesna Mališić Editor in chief Radar weekly 

Marta Evtimova Chief Producer of News and Current affairs at Nova Broadcasting group 

Jelena Ćorluka Editor Nova M 

Mihailo Jovović editor in chief Daily press- Vijesti Montenegro 

Radomir Kračković editor in chief TV Vijesti