The Telekom Serbia issued a statement on Friday saying that it would sue the United Group for what it called a witch hunt being waged against that majority state-owned telephone, cable and Internet provider.
“Following the several weeks of witch hunt which the United Group has been waging against Telekom Serbia using the media that it owns, we will file suit against that company and demand compensation for damages,” a statement said adding that this is a case of “unfair attacks by the competition”.
N1 said that it wants to “remind Telekom Serbia, our viewers and the public that N1 is a private media outlet with an independent editorial police and that not only does it have the indisputable right but also an obligation to report on all public and other companies in which the state has a majority share and which dispose of the money of the citizens of Serbia”.
“N1 has been the subject of a strong campaign by the state authorities for years as well as by MPs of the ruling coalition because of its approach that the activities of the state and all its companies have to be the subject of analyses and criticism. Limiting N1, which is a private and independent media outlet, to the role of a service for investors by the state-owned Telekom is complete and indisputable proof that the Telekom Serbia management does not recognize its own obligation as a majority state-owned company to report on its business operations, especially the drop in value of the company, to the citizens and investors.
“Telekom Serbia does not respect the laws of Serbia and obviously has the support of the government for that. A member of the Anti-Corruption Council and other prominent economy analysts have pointed out the loss of value and non-transparent business operations of the Telekom Serbia company on N1 TV.
“N1 will continue reporting on the operations and results of all public and majority state owned companies including Telekom Serbia,” N1 said.