Government aims to "civilize media"

Culture Minister Nebojsa Bradic says a proposed new law on media is supposed to "introduce order and civilize the media scene in Serbia". According to Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti, Bradic said: "Regardless of all resistance, it is high time to draw the line and to civilize the media scene in Serbia to the satisfaction of all, especially the citizens. This should have been done a lot sooner." Government aims to "civilize media" When the daily's reporter commented that it remains extremely uncertain whether the law will actually be adopted in parliament, Bradic said that according to his information, talks with parliamentary parties are ongoing. "I believe that in the coming period the law's opponents too will realize that its most important goal is to introduce order," said the minister, and denied accusations that the legislation would in fact limit the freedom of speech. "Everyone's unhappy with the chaos in the media scene, they are scandalized by articles in some newspapers… but when you finally decide to make a radical cut, a wave of criticism comes, that the measures are draconian, contrary to European norms, that the time is not right," complained Bradic. A file photo of Nebojsa Bradic (FoNet)

Government aims to "civilize media"

When the daily's reporter commented that it remains extremely uncertain whether the law will actually be adopted in parliament, Bradić said that according to his information, talks with parliamentary parties are ongoing.

"I believe that in the coming period the law's opponents too will realize that its most important goal is to introduce order," said the minister, and denied accusations that the legislation would in fact limit the freedom of speech.

"Everyone's unhappy with the chaos in the media scene, they are scandalized by articles in some newspapers… but when you finally decide to make a radical cut, a wave of criticism comes, that the measures are draconian, contrary to European norms, that the time is not right," complained Bradić.