Disinformation surrounding youth protests in Serbia is being deployed to suppress civic engagement and undermine trust in democratic institutions. Following a “historic day of anger” in mid-March 2025—sparked by the tragic collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy and student demands for accountability—pro-government media quickly moved to reframe the demonstrations. Instead of addressing the concrete tragedy and safety demands, outlets portrayed the student activists as instruments of foreign influence, falsely framing the protests as “colour revolutions” or attempts to destabilise the state. This narrative shift highlights the increasing challenges CSOs and civic movements face in defending their legitimacy and securing an open dialogue. Read more here.
Source: ResPublica
