06. 05. 2014

OSCE: MEDIA LAWS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

06. 05. 2014 (Beta, RTV) - Deputy Chief of Mission to Serbia of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Paula Tide said today that the rapid adoption and implementation of high-quality media laws would represent a clear signal that the state is ready to give up ownership and management rights in media outlets.

"This should be the final end to the practice of exerting direct influence on editorial policies of media outlets and limiting critical voices in the society," said Tide participating in the debate "Self-censorship: The Invisible Threat to Media Freedom in Serbia."

Tide stressed that it is important that current budget financing of Serbian public service broadcasters should not be understood as returning these media outlets to the status of state, pro-government media.

"Public service broadcasters must be impartial and open to all segments of the society, as a forum for the exchange of opinions in all walks of life, from high-level political affairs to communal problems," said Tide.

According to Tide, it is important that investigations and judicial proceedings for murders and attacks against journalists be successfully concluded in Serbia.

"Additional efforts are needed to create an environment in which journalists will not have to live under constant police protection just because they are doing their job responsibly," said Tide.