Bangladesh, Aug. 29 -- A recently published recording of United Group CEO Stan Miller has reignited concerns over press freedom in Serbia, highlighting the fragile state of independent journalism in the country. The recording, released by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and its Serbian partner KRIK, captures Miller in a conversation with Telekom Srbija chief Vladimir Lučić, in which they discuss staffing changes at United Media – the United Group subsidiary that owns the influential broadcaster N1. The conversation suggests attempts to weaken one of the last major independent news outlets critical of Serbias government.

United Group has now confirmed the authenticity of the recording, though i...