Demand to replace Broadcast Agency councillors

Three of Serbia’s largest media associations have demanded from the Parliament to dismiss two members of the newly appointed Broadcasting Agency Council. The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM), the Spektar Association of Private Broadcasters and the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia claim irregularities in the appointment of Nenad Cekic and Vladimir Cvetkovic. They also alleged potential conflict of interest. The associations say that the appointments were in breach of media legislation that stipulate that the biographies of candidates for the Council must be published thirty days before their appointment.

Media in Serbia

Despite the almost three years which have passed since Serbia opted for democracy, there is no sign that the Serbian Government has a strategy on developing the media sector. The adoption of new media legislation is well behind schedule while the government ignores the outcome of public debates on the draft bills. This has left media exhausted as they struggle with an irregular market environment and inequitable business conditions. Nor have the authorities responded to demands from the public to review media operations under the previous regime. This raises the legitimate question of the degree to which Serbia has really rid itself of the heritage of an oppressive regime, what real improvement has occurred in the status of media and the government’s attitude to the sector.

News:
August 27: Minister “surprised” at aid freeze for media watchdog
August 26: Broadcast Council chairman unconcerned by EU freeze
August 25: Europe suspends assistance to Broadcast Council
July 25: Anti-Corruption Council's Media Requests Dodged
June 11: Another Broadcast Council member resigns
May 27: Controversial ninth member appointed by parliament
May 12: Wife blows the whistle on broadcast lies >> link
April 25: Broadcast Agency Council appoints ninth member
April 18: Media associations object to monitoring appointments