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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Media freedom one of government’s major tasks

Belgrade, 1 November 2012

Minister of Culture and Information Bratislav Petkovic stated today that the Serbian government decided to take an evolutionary path in the regulation of the media stage, which implies that what is good should be preserved and further developed, and that what the profession has rejected should be eliminated, and to look for solutions which clearly contribute to the development of a democratic society.

Author: Tanjug

Speaking at the "Building Independent Media in Serbia-Fifteen Years Later" conference, jointly organised by the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Petkovic pointed out that media freedom is one of the government’s major tasks, and that in achieving this goal special attention will be given to right to free access to information, which is one of the basic human rights.

According to Petkovic, a working group consisting of experts who have already worked on media strategy was established to redefine the strategy and to harmonise in legal and technical terms the existing working versions of media laws.

We want to discuss all the contentious issues transparently and in a democratic atmosphere. It is our intention to reach a consensus on the greatest number of issues possible, and when we arrive at it, such a draft law will undergo a public debate, Petkovic said.

The Minister of Culture and Information added that in the process of withdrawing of the state from the media, talks were conducted regarding concrete solutions for "Radio Yugoslavia” and "Yugoslav Survey", and that there is a proposal that its ownership transformation should be conducted within the framework of new legal solutions.

In the talks with Tanjug leadership we were assured that that they are ready for ownership transformation and market operations. What remains is that we opt for one of the contemporary European models applicable under current conditions, and these solutions will be such as not to put into danger the work of other private agencies, Petkovic said.

According to him, in order for the process of withdrawing of the state from the ownership structure in the media to be successful, it is also necessary to eliminate the collision between the Public Information Law and the Republic Broadcasting Agency on the one hand, which prohibit the state to be the founder of a media house, and the law on local self-government on the other hand, and the law on capital city, which allow it.

By eliminating these flaws, the question of whether regional services are needed will be resolved as well, without endangering the public’s need to be informed on significant matters of local communities, the Minister of Culture and Information stressed.

Petkovic added that the question of public and unlawful concentration of power in the media will be regulated by a set of laws on the media, and in order to resolve the current unclear situation regarding ownership, it is necessary that the specialised institutions give precise and concrete answers.

The gathering lasts for two days, and the topics covered include the media strategy and its implementation, media freedom, professionalism and sustainability, preconditions and major topic for media development in Serbia, and also the use of social networks in journalism.