Rio Tinto strongly protests statements made on TV N1 yesterday in the new series “Lithium: Experts speak”, with host Snežana Trifunović Kasapović, of the show “Novi dan”. The host unequivocally stated that the goal of the new series is a negative campaign against lithium mining, not providing objective information to the public. The host positioned herself as an activist, not an impartial journalist. This raises serious questions and concerns about the credibility and intentions of the series itself.

If the series really intends to inform the public, then it is necessary to include qualified experts who have been involved in lithium research. There should not be experts from unrelated fields. Instead of selectively choosing guests according to predetermined attitudes, we invite the host of the series to engage qualified international experts with relevant scientific works and practical experience in the field of lithium research, mining processing. Only this way can a serious and responsible discussion based on facts, not predetermined conclusions, be achieved.

In addition, we consider it scandalous that the new series explicitly states that it intentionally excludes guests who have ever publicly spoken positively about the Jadar Project. This deliberately violates the basic principle of balanced and reasonable dialogue. We believe this is a continuation of the persecution of any scientist who dares to say anything publicly that is neutral or positive on the topic of lithium mining in Serbia. For the series host, and for TV N1 generally, it appears that the only acceptable position is being against lithium mining in Serbia, regardless of salient facts.

The Jadar Project has been subject to an extensive disinformation campaign that has used defamatory fake news to baselessly claim that Rio Tinto and the Jadar Project will have destructive, negative impacts on the environment and people’s health. Reckless and repeated accusations lacking any supporting evidence have maliciously caused unfounded public concern and intentionally misled the Serbian people.