ANEM: Recommendations from the European Commission on media freedom are a clear guideline for the future government.
The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) welcomes the part of the European Commission (EC) report concerning the findings and recommendations for improving freedom of expression and media freedoms in Serbia. Given that the recommendations from the annual EC report for Serbia are the same as last year, we believe that with the change of government following the elections on October 25, the right moment has arrived to enhance the safety and environment in which journalists operate, ensure a fair and legally mandated redistribution of budget funds for media content production, as well as to implement media laws.
The European Commission, in its annual report for Serbia covering the period from September 2025 to September this year, explicitly states that Serbia has regressed in four areas, one of which is freedom of expression. "The environment for journalists, media workers, and media continues to deteriorate, media laws are inconsistently applied, and there is further concentration of ownership in the media market," the report from the Commission notes.
ANEM particularly emphasizes that it expects the future government to adopt and implement recommendations related to the enforcement of media laws in a manner that respects both their letter and spirit – including provisions regarding the independence of the media regulator, i.e., REM. We welcome the recommendation for Serbia to amend and supplement its media laws through a transparent and inclusive process to align them with European media freedom law and relevant European standards.
“For ANEM and for me personally, strengthening the protection and safety of female and male journalists is of crucial importance. In recent years, we have recorded hundreds of attacks and threats against our colleagues. I believe the time will come when journalists, citizens, and activists in Serbia will feel safe, a time when there will be no individual or organized intimidation, harassment, stigmatization, surveillance, spying, or cyber attacks. At the same time, I expect the new government to create an atmosphere in society where accountability for actions is valued, and thus we also expect the relevant prosecutor's offices and police to urgently respond and prosecute those responsible for the numerous attacks and threats to journalists' safety in recent years,” stated Veran Matić, President of ANEM's Management Board.
Although we understand that institutional changes require time, ANEM welcomes the European Commission's recommendation for transparent and fair co-financing of media content that serves the public interest, as well as complete transparency regarding media ownership and advertising.
Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)
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