"EU rules don't prevent state ownership of news agencies"

"EU rules don't prevent state ownership of news agencies"

Speaking at a meeting of the Serbian National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Information, Vukosavljevic said that the final position on the fate of Tanjug will be taken "in about a month."

The Beta agency is reporting on Monday that the minister added that Tanjug, which was shut down by a government's decision about a year ago but continues to operate, cannot be erased from the media register until it has settled its obligations toward the employees and the third parties.

Vukosavljevic also said that since the decision was made to shut it down, Tanjug has not been receiving money from the state budget.

According to him, representatives of the ministry have spoken with representatives of international institutions, asking for "information in principle" on the status of state news agencies in EU countries.