The committee adopted amendments to the Law on Public Information and the Law on Public Services.

Traparić stated during the Committee meeting, in response to the remarks of MP Branko Miljuš from the Freedom and Justice Party regarding the absence of a public discussion, that such discussions were held in 2023 when the laws were adopted.

These are minor amendments, and you do not state that these are amendments and supplements to the law when you speak, he pointed out.

According to Traparić, the work is far from finished, as the Media Freedom Act is expected to come into force in August, which he noted has not been incorporated by some European Union countries. He added that Serbia plans to implement this, along with working on a new Media Strategy.

“There was no avoidance of public discussion in 2023. Now, a few articles are being amended, and the European Commission has confirmed that we have done well and in cooperation with them,” said the assistant minister.

Marko Atlagić, an MP from the Serbian Progressive Party, read a quote from an American journalist from The New York Times in the 1960s, stating that “his job as a journalist is to destroy the truth, to openly lie, and to sell out his own country and people.”

“We are tools and servants of the wealthy and tycoons behind the scenes; we are puppets, and they pull the strings,” Atlagić read, adding that “he believes individuals from N1 will also find themselves in this.”

In concluding the meeting of the Committee for Culture and Information, Chairwoman Nevena Đurić stated that the professional service would notify the authorized proposers of candidates for the Council of the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media during the day that meetings would be held on Friday and Monday, June 13 and 16.

At today’s meeting of the Committee, Miljuš was the only opposition MP.

Amendments to the Law on Public Media Services

Previously, the Committee of the Assembly adopted the Proposal for Amendments to the Law on Public Media Services (JMU), which, as stated during the meeting, more precisely defines the financial and institutional independence of JMU, ensuring long-term and stable financing. Eleven MPs voted in favor, none were against, and two MPs did not vote.

Traparić stated that the existing regulations have not been amended since 2014

The proposed amendments to the Law on Public Media Services will repeal the Law on the Temporary Regulation of Fee Collection, and the provisions of that law will become part of the new law, Traparić explained.

“In case of difficulties, the state would not leave them unable to operate,” Traparić said, emphasizing that even the public media services have no criticisms of the proposed solution for the fee.

According to him, the provisions concerning the JMU Board of Directors are being redefined, and the criteria for who can be a member of that body, the general director, and the Programming Council, which should consist of 11 members, have been specified.

The most significant innovation is the institution of the commissioner for the protection of listeners, viewers, and readers, Traparić stated.

 Source: Fonet