27. 04. 2014

ALL MEDIA TO COVER INAGURATION AFTER ALL

Belgrade, 27.4.2014 (Beta, B92.net) - The inauguration of the new government will be covered by all media outlets, even though it was announced from the Assembly this morning that the coverage will be allowed only to certain media.

"Filming and photographing of the inauguration of ministers will be made possible for cameramen of Reuters, TV Pink, Infobiro, the Government of RS and to photographers of the Government of RS, Tanjug, and the National Assembly," said the statement released this morning by the Parliament.

However, a few hours later, during the parliamentary debate, Speaker Maja Gojković said that this was "corrected."

Beta news agency, which was among media denied coverage, announced today that its journalists were told that the decision was made after consultation of parliament representatives with the cabinet of the former Deputy Prime Minister and future Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić.

The Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS) protested against thе decision calling it unacceptable.

"The decision leads the way to an atmosphere where state bodies could choose which media outlets will cover events of public interest," said NUNS and urged the Serbian parliament to change the decision and allow the presence of cameramen of all media at the event.

NUNS asked what criteria were used when deciding on the media outlets that will film the inauguration of new ministers.

Although the decision was reversed, no answer on the criteria has been provided so far.