28. 08. 2006

EUROPEAN COMMISSION CONCERNED WITH THE AMENDMENTS TO THE BROADCASTING LAW IN SERBIA

To the already existing concerns regarding the process of allocation of broadcasting frequencies, the European Commission has to add its further concern at the fact that, without proper consultation, the Parliament has adopted some controversial amendments to the Broadcasting Law. Such amendments would increase the discretionary powers of the Republican Broadcasting Agency while affecting its independence vis-à-vis the executive. The European Commission will continue to monitor these developments in its forthcoming regular report on the implementation of the priorities of the European Partnership. The Commission's statement was also delivered to the Deputy Prime Minister Ivana Dulic-Markovic, Minister for Culture Dragan Kojadinovic, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Culture and Information Aleksandar Lazarevic, Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on European Integration Suzana Grubjesic, Director of the European Integration Office Tanja Miscevic, Secretary General of Cabinet of the President of the Republic of Serbia Branko Radujko and President of the Republic Broadcasting Agency Nenad Cekic.