05. 07. 2013

ROUND TABLE “REFORM OF PUBLIC INFORMATION”

Belgrade, July 5, 2013 (Beta, FoNet, NUNS) - Reform of media in Serbia is late and its further course is uncertain, bringing into question the survival of private, independent media in Serbia, it was concluded yesterday at the round table organized by the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia on the topic of reform of public information.

After the dismissal of the Working Group for drafting the media laws, the media and journalists' associations are no longer able to monitor this process of reforming the media sector. It was also noted at the round table that the state was controlling media scene and influencing the creation of media content by financing media from the state budget.

ANEM President Sasa Mirkovic noted that the EU had not undermined the media reform in Serbia. He informed the present of receiving the letter from the Culture and Media Minister Bratislav Petkovic on June 18, notifying him that the working group for drafting the media laws, which counted 14 members, was ending its work as the process now required more efficient but less in number teams.

Mirkovic also expressed his hope that by September 28, two years after the adoption of the Media Strategy, the Parliament will pass the Law on Public Information.