Antoinette Nikolova

What happens when algorithm shape what millions see, share, and vote for?
The upcoming Tackling TikTokcracy report by the BFMI uncovers how algorithmic manipulation and captured media ecosystems are shaping elections and public trust in the Balkans 🔗 Register here: bit.ly/tiktokcracy

Audio Recording Reveals United Group and Telekom Srbija CEOs Discussing Undermining Serbian Broadcaster The CEOs discussed removing the chief executive of a United Group subsidiary that owns N1, a Serbian TV channel that has documented nine months of anti-government protests.

Serbia: disturbing report from OCCRP about the government allegedly seeking to silence an independent media outlet covering the protests. www.occrp.org/en/news/audi.... With constant threats and attacks against journalists, press freedom in Serbia is getting worse each week.

🔥 Bulgaria’s slide into state capture is no longer a local issue it’s a failure of Europe.
Oligarch Delian Peevski, sanctioned by the #US, is consolidating power as Sofia prepares to join the euro. Brussels, Brussels we have a problem . #Bulgaria € #EU
👉 lnkd.in/dfgxicWz

Proud to share this new article by Vanessa from the BFMI team, shedding light on the EU’s Blind Spot in the Fight for Democracy
Important reflections at a critical time →https://bit.ly/4kwBhjI
#BFMI #PressFreedom #EuropeanMedia

Long queue to talk about #MediaFreedom at #ijf25

If the EU is to support media freedom, its members must lead by example If the bloc hopes to influence the aspiring autocrats in candidate countries, it must establish a strong culture of independent media within its own borders.

Just out on @POLITICOEurope:
My op-ed on how some of the EU’s most influential members are setting a dangerous precedent when it comes to media freedom.
It’s time to call out the provocateurs www.politico.eu/article/eu-a...

Musk’s X suspends opposition accounts in Turkey amid civil unrest Suspensions affect accounts spreading information about the widespread demonstrations.

Is Musk's version of “free speech” means silencing opposition?
www.politico.eu/article/musk...

Today’s Autocrat Has No Liberal West to Blame Claiming Trump’s CIA stokes pro-democracy revolutions is no longer credible.

With Trump in the White House and Europe chasing stability, autocrats are losing their favored scapegoats.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti... via @opinion

Italy one of five ‘dismantlers’ causing ‘democratic recession’ in Europe, report says Civil liberties report warns that Italy along with Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Slovakia intentionally undermining rule of law ‘in nearly all aspects’

Civil liberties report warns that Italy along with Bulgaria , Croatia , Romania and Slovakia intentionally undermining rule of law ‘in nearly all aspects’ #Italy #Bulgaria #Romania #Slovakia #Croatia
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

Lipavský by byl pro financování rádia Svobodná Evropa z evropských peněz - Novinky Evropská unie by měla zvážit, zda nepřevezme financování Rádia Svobodná Evropa, poté co administrativa Donalda Trumpa už provoz stanice platit nechce. Ministr zahraničí Jan Lipavský to řekl v neděli v...

The Czech's Foreign Minister is now proposing that the EU should take over Radio Free Europe, following theUS's decision to withdraw funding.
www.novinky.cz/clanek/domac...

The real history of free speech — from supreme ideal to poisonous politics The 300-year-old doctrine is being tested by the excesses of digital oligarchs, says historian Fara Dabhoiwala

It’s never just about the words themselves.

www.ft.com/content/d1f1...

The closure of RFERL after 75 years is a devastating loss for independent journalism and those who rely on it for truth in closed societies.Silencing one of the last beacons of free information is a gift to autocrats.A decision like this doesn’t just weaken the free press but the democracy itself.

🔴 Vučić fears his own youth—silencing media, repressing protests, and ruling by fear.
Serbian police just used an LRAD sonic cannon against students in Belgrade during their 15 minutes of silence.
Demonizing protesters is a sign of panic. Defending them is defending Serbia’s future.

💥Viktor Orbán deployed pure dehumanizing fascist rhetoric in his March 15 speech to threaten his critics:

“The stink bugs survived the winter. We'll dismantle the financial machinery that has bought politicians, judges, journalists, fake NGOs and political activists... They've survived too much."

Tears of joy & excitement in Belgrade 🇷🇸 as thousands of Serbian students arrive from all over the country to take part in the largest anti-govt protest since the Milosevic overthrow in 2000.

Belgrade, on the eve of the protest

Belgrade tonight

In Belgrade as students from across Serbia, who have spent days walking to the capital, arrive ahead of tomorrow's protests.

✨🎄🇭🇺🇸🇰

(made with Grok 2 AI)

Is it happy hour in the Kremlin?

🚨 Disturbing reports from Serbia: Journalists and activists are being surveilled using spyware, echoing the scandal in Greece.
securitylab.amnesty.org/latest/2024/...

Following the money trail of #disinformation.
Stay tuned for the Tuesday launch of the report 'Defunding Disinformation in the Balkans: How International Brands Support Russia’s Agenda.' Brands from #Germany, #US, #UK, #France, and other countries are channeling millions of $$$...