IFJ
Warns Serbia On “Damage to Integrity of Broadcasting
Law” In Dispute Over Appointment
The International Federation of Journalists today
backed journalists groups in Serbia protesting over
“irregularities” in the National Assembly appointment
of people to Council of the Broadcast Agency.
“For months journalists have been calling on the
Serbian government to implement the Broadcasting Act,
but now when they have decided to act it appears the
rules are being broken,” said Aidan White, IFJ General
Secretary. “If the rules are not followed it will
do damage to the integrity of the country’s broadcasting
law and will undermine the whole process of reforming
the broadcasting system.”
The Broadcasting Act provides that the Parliament
should publish at least 30 days in advance of the
day of selection of Council members all valid lists
of nominees. However, the Serbian Parliament elected
eight members on 11 April, but one nomination was
published only three days before and another one was
announced the very day of the election. “These are
irregularities that cause dismay to everyone hoping
to see a fresh start for one of Europe’s most damaged
broadcasting systems,” said White. “We ask the Serbian
Parliament to reconsider the action that has been
taken. If the rules have been broken, the process
is flawed. It is vital to build confidence in the
democratisation of the broadcast media.”
The IFJ is asking the Serbian Parliament for explanations
and to reconsider the nominations of the two candidates
to the Council, which will have a key role in developing
a new landscape for electronic media in Serbia.
The Broadcasting Agency will grant broadcasting permits,
regulate programming content and implement the legal
framework for electronic media in Serbia. In spite
of the present dispute, it held its first session
last week where members signed an obligation to work
independently and without any bias. The Agency has
received financial support from the Organisation for
Security and Cooperation in Europe and from the European
Agency for Reconstruction for its future work.
“Everyone wishes the new framework to succeed,” said
White, “but it will only do so if journalists and
public are satisfied that a transparent and honest
system is in place. That’s why journalists are right
to demand the appointment process fully respects the
new law.”
The IFJ represents more than 500,000 journalists
in more than 100 countries
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