RSF Raises Concerns Over Sale of Balkan Media Assets to Alpac Capital
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has highlighted concerns regarding the impending sale of media assets by United Group, a Luxembourg-based entity. The sale involves ANN, which encompasses N1, described as the last major independent television channel in Serbia, and Vijesti, a leading news outlet in Montenegro. The portfolio also includes television stations in EU member states Croatia and Slovenia. European media authorities and competition watchdogs, including Montenegro's competition protection body, along with the Luxembourg government and its media regulator, are preparing to review the transaction. The sale is anticipated to significantly reshape the media landscape across the Balkan region. However, RSF noted that the source of funding for the potential buyer, the Portuguese investment group Alpac Capital, has not been publicly disclosed. This lack of transparency raises questions about the future independence and ownership structure of these prominent media outlets.
The proposed sale of significant Balkan media assets by United Group to Alpac Capital warrants scrutiny regarding market concentration and the transparency of funding sources. Regulatory bodies in multiple countries are poised to review the transaction, indicating potential concerns about competition and media pluralism. The undisclosed funding for Alpac Capital introduces uncertainty about the future editorial independence of the acquired outlets, particularly N1 and Vijesti, which are positioned as key independent voices. Future media governance frameworks may need to address the implications of opaque investment structures on democratic discourse and information access in the region.
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