A recently published recording of United Group CEO Stan Miller has reignited concerns over press freedom in Serbia, highlighting the fragile state of independent journalism in the country. The recording, released by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and its Serbian partner KRIK, captures Miller in a conversation with Telekom Srbija chief Vladimir Lučić, in which they discuss staffing changes at United Media – the United Group subsidiary that owns the influential broadcaster N1. The conversation suggests attempts to weaken one of the last major independent news outlets critical of Serbia’s government.

United Group has now confirmed the authenticity of the recording, though it insists the material published does not represent the full conversation and should not be interpreted as evidence of political interference. Still, the leaked audio has fueled criticism from press freedom organizations and independent journalists who see it as confirmation of efforts to dismantle independent media voices in Serbia.

United Group, a Dutch-based media conglomerate, acknowledged in a press release that Miller had engaged in a “business discussion” with Lučić. The company characterized the exchange as a routine conversation following the sale of several of its assets – including NetTV Plus, Total TV, and certain regional sports rights – to Telekom Srbija earlier this year for over €650 million.

“Following that transaction, it is both routine and necessary for there to be communication between the companies,” United Group stated. The company emphasized that “at no time did Telekom Srbija or any other entity or person exert or seek to exert any pressure” regarding personnel decisions at United Media.

But the words captured on the recording paint a different picture. At one point, Miller tells Lučić: “I cannot fire........

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