The Journalists' Association of Slovenia calls on the owners of N1 to fulfill their promises to preserve editorial autonomy

The Journalists' Association of Slovenia announced that it is following with great concern the developments related to the sale of news media of the United Group (Adria News Network), including N1 Slovenia, to the investment fund Alpac Capital.

As they state, the information that Alpac Capital, even before the completion of the sales process and obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals, allegedly took over the actual management of the aforementioned media, and is already preparing personnel and editorial changes, is particularly worrying.

"N1 is one of the most important independent media in the region, which ensures the public's right to impartial, verified and critical information. In Serbia, where N1 is one of the last media outlets not under government control, and journalists have long suffered pressure, discrediting, threats and even physical attacks, we can see what it means to have no democracy without independent journalism. In Slovenia, the N1 editorial team has proven the importance of professional, independent journalism dedicated to the public interest, with numerous exclusive stories and detailed articles on pressing issues in Slovenian society, over the five years since its establishment," reads a statement from the Journalists' Association of Slovenia published on their website.

They add that the lack of transparency in the N1 sales process and the political connections of the parties involved raise questions about the real motives of the owners and buyers of news media, and that they should never be "merely a means of making profit."

"The Journalists' Association of Slovenia therefore calls on the current owners to ensure what they promised the public, and until recently, the media management promised the same to employees - that N1 will remain committed to the foundations on which it was founded, namely editorial autonomy and independent reporting, in which journalists are solely responsible to the public and are not subordinated to any political or capital interests, and that journalists' jobs will not be jeopardized," it states.

They point out that journalism that favors power or capital does not exist.

"The only journalism is independent journalism. Information about the political connections of the Alpac Capital fund and allegations that the new owners plan to significantly reduce the number of journalistic jobs, or rather, eliminate them, must worry everyone who cares about the survival of democracy. All the more so at a time when the media in Slovenia are the target of political pressure and threats of funding cuts," the statement reads.