United Group Addresses False Claims on Serbian Media Independence and Operations
In a bold response to recent misinformation, United Group has clarified its unwavering commitment to maintaining the editorial independence of its Serbian media channels, N1 and Nova. The company has vehemently rejected false claims suggesting that it intends to compromise or undermine the editorial integrity of these channels by either altering their structural independence or auctioning them off to Telekom Srbija or any other state-affiliated entities.
United Group asserts that the editorial decisions for N1 and Nova are solely managed by editorial teams, free from any oversight or influence from the company's management. This autonomy is crucial and is part of United Group's operational framework designed to separate commercial management from editorial judgment. Furthermore, the assertion that the current management has moved to sell off its informational assets is a deliberate misrepresentation of facts, primarily propagated by individuals with vested interests in troubling previous leadership actions.
The ongoing speculation around the alleged sale of serbian channels stems from a historic tension between shareholders, particularly involving Dragan Šolak, a minority stakeholder and founder of the group. Evidence from early 2025 indicates that Šolak engaged in discussions to sell N1 and Nova for a one-time fee, seeking to remove these critical information channels from traditional broadcasting platforms, despite this plan not aligning with the existing leadership's focus on reinforcing the independence of these services.
In light of these developments, United Group has clearly stated that neither the current executive team nor BC Partners, its majority stakeholder, ever had intentions to sell off N1 or Nova. Discussions regarding their potential sale are remnants of the prior management's strategy and do not reflect the priorities of the present leadership, which aims to safeguard the independence of its media operations.
Moreover, past leadership's actions have led to a scrutiny of editorial integrity; any misconduct perceptions tied to the previous regime will be thoroughly investigated under the company’s established policies. United Group is actively working on measures that will enhance the independence of its media outlets, which includes introducing editorial charters, non-interference agreements, and creating oversight roles to further insulate these entities from political influence.
Current operations show a positive trajectory for United Group as they posted a 5% increase in revenues and nearly 7% growth in EBITDA in the first half of 2025. This robust financial performance underlines the company’s strategic focus on bolstering their media assets while adhering to principles of operational discipline, strong governance, and accountability.
As the media landscape in Serbia faces ongoing challenges, the commitment of United Group to uphold journalistic independence is paramount. The leadership intends to distance its operations from political turmoil and internal shareholder disputes, putting forth a clear message: editorial independence is non-negotiable, and any editorial decisions will remain firmly in the hands of the dedicated editorial teams of N1 and Nova.
In conclusion, despite attempts to mislead the public and disrupt United Group's operations, the management will continue to advocate for independence and ethical journalism, ensuring that N1 and Nova deliver the unbiased news and content that Serbian audiences expect and deserve.