Thousands of students from universities across Serbia staged a massive protest in front of the state broadcaster, Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS), on December 12, decrying what they see as government negligence and media misrepresentation of their demands.

Students, wielding banners with slogans such as “Don’t lie to my grandfather” and “We pay, we don’t get paid”, blocked traffic in central Belgrade and disrupted RTS’ evening news broadcast. The protests follow weeks of unrest triggered by a deadly train station collapse in Novi Sad last month that killed 15 people and critically injured two others.

The protesters accuse the government of corruption, mismanagement and failing to address systemic issues exposed by the disaster. Some RTS workers showed subtle solidarity, flashing their phone lights from the building’s terrace, while RTS reporters provided live coverage of the protest, a rare move for the state broadcaster.

Around 19:00 local time, the demonstrators grew louder, blowing whistles and repeating chants, attempting to disrupt the 19:30 news programme. Students claim RTS has failed to provide fair coverage of their protests and alleged that the broadcaster perpetuated misinformation about their activities.

One protester, Milena Stojanovic, a law student, said, “We are here because the government ignores us, and RTS spreads lies. They say we are paid to protest. It’s insulting and untrue.”

The student protests are part of a broader wave of dissent that has gripped Serbia since the train station collapse on November 1. Opposition parties, farmers and other citizens have joined forces to demand accountability for what they allege is government corruption and negligence leading to the disaster.

On December 8, several farming associations met in Badovinci in the west of the country to announce their intention to join the protests, expressing solidarity with students and others. “The farmers express their full support to the students and their demands, as well as to all dissatisfied citizens who demand the government's responsibility,” a statement said.

University blockades have now spread across Serbia, with over 40 state faculties halting operations. In Novi Sad, all faculties remain on lockdown.

President Aleksandar Vucic has sought to quell the unrest, announcing on December 12 an increase in funding for higher education institutions by 20% for 2025. He also claimed to have met all of the students’ demands, urging an end to the protests.

However, the protesters remain unconvinced. “Our demands are clear, and they are not being fulfilled,” said Ivan Petrovic, a student leader. Key demands include the publication of documents related to the train station reconstruction, which Vucic pledged to do on December 11, and the release of detained protesters.

The unrest intensified after students disrupted President Vucic’s speech to the nation earlier in the week, using whistles and jeers to drown out his address. Demonstrators outside the presidency called for his resignation, accusing him of failing to take responsibility for the country’s woes.

As protests grow in scale and intensity, Serbia faces a deepening political crisis. With farmers and other groups joining the movement, the coming weeks are likely to test the government’s ability to address public discontent.