What it is
In Serbia, the state, the autonomous province, and local governments can co-finance projects in public information. The law treats this as one way to serve the public interest: supporting media content, local and regional information, professional standards, minority-language information, and other public-interest topics. Money is distributed through public contests or, in a smaller share, through individual grants.
How a contest should work
The authority that announces a contest appoints a three- or five-member commission. The commission evaluates projects and prepares a reasoned proposal, score lists, and a record of its work. The head of the authority then issues the funding decision; under the law, it should be a reasoned decision, usually no later than 90 days after the contest closes. That is why a commission proposal is not the same thing as a final award.
Where the Press Council fits
The Press Council is an independent self-regulatory body for print and online media and news agencies. Its complaints commission reviews complaints about possible breaches of Serbia's Journalists' Code. A Press Council decision is not a criminal or administrative penalty, but it shows that the self-regulatory body found a breach of professional standards.
Why it became disputed
Critics watch these contests because they involve public money and shape the local information space. In July 2026, N1 and 021 carried ANEM's analysis: according to the association, Zaple Media Group had already received 16.2 million dinars, about 138,000 euros, in completed contests, and seven of the group's internet projects received 4.9 million dinars in the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications contest. 021 also reported that another 2.4 million dinars had been proposed for the same group in Stara Pazova, but no official decision had been issued at that point, while contests in 17 local governments were still under way.
Current status
As of July 5, 2026, the public record includes ANEM's analysis, its coverage by N1 and 021, and the open rules of the contest system and the Press Council. ANEM says the company was registered in December 2025, launched 12 portals from January 1, 2026, and also took over two existing local sites. According to the association, the Press Council complaints commission had already issued 11 code-breach rulings across nine of those portals in their first months of operation.
Why it matters
For readers, this is not only a dispute about one company. Contest co-financing is supposed to support the public interest, not become opaque support for media without clear public value. If a new network quickly receives public money while its content already has code-breach rulings, the question is twofold: how the commission assesses project quality, and how the public authority treats professional standards.
Next open question
The next question is which contests will end in final decisions and whether public authorities will explain how they considered media age, ownership, Press Council rulings, and the public interest. When there is only a commission proposal, the money should not be described as already awarded. When there is only a Press Council ruling, it should not be treated as a court finding, but it should be read as a public signal about professional standards.