UNS: MIT to reconsider the decision regarding working groups for the development of media laws and strategy.

UNS reminds that, in addition to UNS, NUNS, RAB, and SINOS, representatives of ANEM, Local Press, NDNV, Media Association, and Online Media Association were also involved in the work on the Media Strategy, which is valid until the end of the year.

Instead of these organizations, the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications (MIT) has invited the newly established journalistic association, the Association of Journalists of Serbia (ANS), as well as the associations ComNet, PROUNS, and the Journalists' Society of Vojvodina (DNV), to be part of the permanent composition of the Working Group for the development of a new Media Strategy.

UNS sees no reason why organizations that have long been engaged in the protection of journalists and the development of the media system, recognized even in international frameworks, should be excluded from these processes.

UNS reminds that Minister of Information and Telecommunications Boris Bratina stated before the adoption of the last amendments to the media laws in June of this year that "it is Serbia's strategic commitment to improve the media legal framework," and that this is "of crucial importance for the protection and strengthening of media freedoms."

UNS publicly asks the Minister - how does he intend to improve the legal framework primarily with associations and organizations that are not recognized as protectors of journalists and media workers, media freedoms, pluralism, and social dialogue?

UNS emphasizes that it will engage in the work of the working groups when the MIT and the Government of Serbia change their decision on the composition of these bodies, which are supposed to address the improvement of the position of journalists and the media, aligning the regulatory framework with the achievements of the European Union and developing the media system of Serbia.