Serbian audiences’ news consumption and choosing sides in the Russia-Ukraine war
Serbian audiences’ news consumption and choosing sides in the Russia-Ukraine war

Summary/Abstract: Public attitudes toward the Russian invasion of Ukraine in Serbia diverge sharply from broader European trends, with a majority of citizens siding with Russia. While Serbia’s government officially supports Ukrainian territorial integrity, it has refrained from joining EU sanctions, reflecting a complex international position and a media landscape dominated by pro-Russian narratives. In this study, we use original survey data from an online sample of 2,027 respondents to examine how media trust, political orientations, and news consumption patterns shape both sides taken in the war and satisfaction with media reporting. Logistic regression analysis shows that trust in government-aligned proRussian media and support for the ruling party are the strongest predictors of siding with Russia. The same variables also explain satisfaction with news coverage of the war, suggesting a transfer of trust between media and message. Those with stronger anti-Western sentiment are more inclined to side with Russia and evaluate war reporting positively. However, the dominant media narratives also support this stance and reassure them of the validity of their worldview. Our findings point to a highly polarised and asymmetrically structured media and political environment, where partisan alignment and selective media trust strongly influence geopolitical perceptions and the views about the media. This research contributes to understanding how political loyalties and media systems influence public opinion in hybrid regimes during major international crises.

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