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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Excellent job done on preparing media laws

Belgrade, 11 October 2023

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic met with representatives of the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications, media and journalist associations and international partners on the occasion of the end of a public hearing on the Draft Law on Public Information and Media and the Draft Law on Electronic Media.

The Prime Minister pointed out that a compromise was reached regarding the most important issues concerning the implementation: the Press Council and the election of members of the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM).

Brnabic specified that the Press Council will be a self-regulatory body responsible for all media and that this is the first time that it will be part of the legislative framework. She emphasised that these laws are revolutionary, because self-regulation is being introduced for the first time.

Brnabic assessed that an excellent job was done and that she expects both laws to be adopted by the end of October.

Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia Jan Braathu emphasised the importance of inclusiveness and transparency in the development of media regulations, adding that this is crucial when it comes to implementing the Media Strategy and Action Plan in letter and spirit.

He added that in the conversation with media and journalist associations, progress was made in compromise solutions, as is the case with the current proposal of authorised proponents for REM Council members, which contributes to its depoliticisation, and the Press Council is the only self-regulatory body provided for by law.

It is necessary to additionally strengthen the organisational, functional and financial independence of REM. The Head of the Mission confirmed the readiness of the Mission to assist in the implementation of the laws when they are finalised, as well as in the drafting of the necessary by-laws.

Head of the Media and Information Department of the EU Delegation to Serbia Manuel Munteanu assessed that the Media Strategy is a quality document and reiterated the importance of the fact that the two draft laws reflect its spirit. He welcomed positive developments, such as the strengthening of the role of the Press Council and depoliticisation in the proposal of REM Council members. He also reiterated the importance of having strong protection mechanisms to ensure a level playing field for all media and market actors. He pointed out that the EU Delegation has supported the process of media reforms in Serbia from the very beginning and will continue to do so.

President of the Union of Journalists of Serbia Dragana Cabarkapa pointed out that the Law on Public Information and Media includes for the first time provisions concerning the labour rights of journalists and media workers. She emphasised that this is of great importance because it will open the possibility for a more dignified position and better working conditions for media workers and the possibility to establish a dialogue, which is the goal and standard in European countries.