President of the REM Council: More than 10 examination proceedings initiated against media service providers so far.
The President of the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM), Stevica Smederevac, stated that more than 10 investigation procedures have been initiated against media service providers, noting that among them are public services, national broadcasters, and cable broadcasters.
He explained that the initiation of an inquiry procedure does not prejudge the responsibility of the broadcaster, but rather represents the beginning of a procedure to determine whether regulations have been violated.
“This is just one, exactly as the name suggests, inquiry procedure to establish whether there are violations or not,” he said, adding that after the media service provider's statement regarding potential responsibility, decisions are made at regular meetings of the Council.
According to him, at least 11 such procedures have been initiated so far, and the number changes daily, depending on when the monitoring and analysis service completes its reports.
Smederevac noted that due to the short deadlines in the electoral cycle, meetings are held almost daily, including extraordinary sessions, to ensure that procedures are initiated without delay.
He added that reports from citizens and other submitters arrive daily via the website and mail, and that the REM services verify their completeness and, if necessary, urgently seek additional documentation or recordings of programs.
When it comes to possible measures, the president of the REM Council stated that they include warnings, alerts, temporary bans on certain content, as well as a ban on broadcasting programs for a period of one to seven days in case of repeated violations of the same type. The most severe measure is, as he said, the revocation of the license.
“This part is strict under the law from 2024; it has been tightened when it comes to electoral cycles,” said Smederevac and announced a working meeting with broadcasters who are under monitoring or against whom complaints have been filed, with the aim of pointing out possible shortcomings and preventing the imposition of measures.
He added that the REM Council, after the broadcaster's statement, will decide on the possible imposition of measures, and the decision, if made, will be implemented promptly and made public.
A regular meeting of the REM Council is scheduled for tomorrow at 2 PM.
Source: N1
.png&w=3840&q=75)
