Newsroom
OSCE Mission calls for transparency in selection of new Broadcasting Council in Serbia
BELGRADE 2 September 2004
BELGRADE, 2 September 2004 - Acknowledging efforts undertaken by the Serbian government to re-activate the work of the Republican Broadcasting Agency Council, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia and Montenegro, Maurizio Massari, said it was essential that the body should be transparent and politically independent.
"The forthcoming nomination and election process and the ensuing work of the Broadcasting Council are critical for the future development of independent and professional broadcast media in Serbia," Ambassador Massari said.
Following the parliamentary approval of amendments and supplements to the Broadcasting Law on 24 August, the nine members of the Broadcasting Council will be re-elected in the coming months.
The Serbian Broadcasting Law was passed in 2002, but the work of the Broadcasting Council, which is to act as the independent regulatory authority of the broadcasting media in Serbia, has been stalled following breaches of legal procedures in the appointment of Council members.
In the past six months, the OSCE Mission has been actively engaged with the Government in facilitating expert discussions between the relevant authorities, professional associations and international organisations in order to address the situation at the Broadcasting Agency Council.
Ambassador Massarisaid that the Mission would continue to closely monitor compliance with the law, adding:
"Transparency and independence from any political forces and economic interests must prevail in the establishment and ensuing work of the Broadcasting Council. Only its legitimacy, impartiality and professionalism will enable the Council to fulfil its role and to be recognized as an independent regulatory authority."
In this context, the OSCE Mission takes note of the concerns and objections expressed by Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM), the Independent Association of Serbian Journalists (NUNS) and the Media Centre.
Ambassador Massari also noted that without the prompt establishment of the Telecommunication Agency, the Broadcasting Council would not be able to operate.
The OSCE Mission will continue to engage the Serbian government, broadcasters and interested parties in the ongoing reforms in the media sector. One of the most important next steps for the government will be the creation of a Telecommunication Agency, which will also develop a frequency plan for the broadcasting sector in Serbia.
"The forthcoming nomination and election process and the ensuing work of the Broadcasting Council are critical for the future development of independent and professional broadcast media in Serbia," Ambassador Massari said.
Following the parliamentary approval of amendments and supplements to the Broadcasting Law on 24 August, the nine members of the Broadcasting Council will be re-elected in the coming months.
The Serbian Broadcasting Law was passed in 2002, but the work of the Broadcasting Council, which is to act as the independent regulatory authority of the broadcasting media in Serbia, has been stalled following breaches of legal procedures in the appointment of Council members.
In the past six months, the OSCE Mission has been actively engaged with the Government in facilitating expert discussions between the relevant authorities, professional associations and international organisations in order to address the situation at the Broadcasting Agency Council.
Ambassador Massarisaid that the Mission would continue to closely monitor compliance with the law, adding:
"Transparency and independence from any political forces and economic interests must prevail in the establishment and ensuing work of the Broadcasting Council. Only its legitimacy, impartiality and professionalism will enable the Council to fulfil its role and to be recognized as an independent regulatory authority."
In this context, the OSCE Mission takes note of the concerns and objections expressed by Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM), the Independent Association of Serbian Journalists (NUNS) and the Media Centre.
Ambassador Massari also noted that without the prompt establishment of the Telecommunication Agency, the Broadcasting Council would not be able to operate.
The OSCE Mission will continue to engage the Serbian government, broadcasters and interested parties in the ongoing reforms in the media sector. One of the most important next steps for the government will be the creation of a Telecommunication Agency, which will also develop a frequency plan for the broadcasting sector in Serbia.