The media situation in Serbia

The Journalists' Building located in the Resavska Street in Belgrade has for a decade been the subject of a dispute between the Journalists' Association of Serbia (UNS), which claims to be the sole owner of the building, and the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS), which considers itself the owner of the property due to the fact that NUNS members used to be members of the UNS. The representative of the UNS, Nino Brajovic, is of the opinion that the verdict passed by the Court of Appeals – which has decided that ownership over the building is to be shared between both associations – is illegal because there is no law that stipulates that someone could gain ownership over property in this way. "This verdict is an exception and the Court of Appeals was motivated by political, not legal criteria. The dominant association of journalists has been deprived of its property rights". Jelka Jovanovic from NUNS says: "We have never commented on legal verdicts and we do not intend to comment on this one, despite the fact that it is in our favor. In a sense, the legal process is still ongoing because of the judicial complaint and constitutional appeal filed by UNS. I can say that my colleagues and I consider that law and justice have now been harmonized. The Court of Appeals has accepted testimonies of numerous witnesses who have confirmed that during the nineties a large group of journalists had no choice but to form a new association because they were not able to set higher professional standards within the then-UNS. We have also proved that the management of the UNS had not adhered to their own statute. The only reason for forming of NUNS and its survival until today was our insistence on professionalism."
(Politika, NUNS, 20.02.2012)

The president of NUNS, Vukasin Obradovic, said in a response to Ljiljana Smajlovic, the president of UNS, that despite all circumstances NUNS has no intention to allow the important issue of joint property of Serbian journalists to be marred by politics. "Today, just like during previous years, we believe that disputes should be solved with mutual agreement. We are still offering them the same settlement that had been on the table before we were forced to initiate the legal case. We still think that would be the best solution for members of both associations."
(Danas, UNS, NUNS, NDNV, 20.02.2012)

Several hours after the coming into effect of the court decision ordering the cable provider SBB to continue broadcasting the programme of TV Kanal 9 as a part of its basic analog package, the quality of the signal became so bad that viewers are not able to watch it. The court has also ordered that the level and quality of the distributed signal of TV Kanal 9 must not be lower than the level and quality of the signal of other TV stations broadcast by SBB and its affiliates.
(UNS, NUNS, 23.02.2012)

After repeated legal proceedings, the Commercial Court in Novi Sad has again decided in favor of TV Kanal 9 in a dispute between the station and the cable provider SBB. SBB is again obliged to include the programme of the TV station from Novi Sad in its basic package of analog television programs. In July last year, SBB violated the Law on Public Information and stopped broadcasting of TV Kanal 9 without any substantiated commercial justification. The company that owns SBB has recently bought KDS, meaning that the decision now applies to all users of the network in Novi Sad – which now enjoys a monopolistic position. TV Kanal 9 says that, according to their sources, the Republic Broadcasting Agency (RRA) has ordered the Republic Agency for Electronic Communication (RATEL) to oblige SBB to broadcast the programme of the TV station for the purpose of advancing the public interest. TV Kanal 9, formed in 1999, is the first private TV station in Novi Sad.
(Danas, 24.02.2012)

Dr Neda Todorovic, the professor of Theory and Technology of Journalism at the Faculty of Political Science, resigned on Saturday from her membership in the Managing Board and the Publishing Council of Politika. She has informed e-Novine, the Managing Board, as well as the management, stockholders and editors of the company, about her decision. Politika has not published the news about her resignation. In her letter, Neda Todorovic describes "the inability of the Managing Board to exert influence on the management of Politika". In an informal conversation, several long-time journalists of Politika said to e-Novine that these claims were completely true and well-known, but also of minor importance in comparison with the actual dictatorship of the editor-in-chief, Dragan Bujosevic, who is favoring the staff that used to work in Politika during her darkest era.
(E-novine, UNS, 27.02.2012)

Dramatist Biljana Srbljanovic has decided to lock down its Tweeter account after the daily newspaper Kurir published an article entitled "Biljana Mocks the Disabled". She said that she felt "raped by tabloids". "Since I cannot turn off them, I will turn off myself. Thank you, everyone. Enjoy", she wrote.
(Kurir, 26.02.2012)

The director of Niska Television, Dragana Nikolic, has refused to implement the mandatory decision made by the commissioner for information of public importance and publish all contracts concluded between the TV station and public institutions. Dragana Nikolic, who is the member of the political party United Regions of Serbia (URS), has approved publication of only three contracts – all of them signed with the City of Nis. According to investigation conducted by Juzne Vesti, Niska Television signed contracts with all five municipalities of the city, while its operations were additional funded by numerous public companies like the Nis Airport and the Heating Plant. The average value of individual contracts – hidden from the taxpayers by the management of NTV – amounts to half a million dinars a year, while their total value is almost five million dinars annually. It should be noted that decisions of the commissioner are mandatory and cannot be appealed. Refusal to implement the commissioner's decisions is a legal violation that for which a responsible person can be punished with a fine.
(Juzne vesti, 27.02.2012)

Assessments of the media situation in Serbia

The president of the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia, Vukasin Obradovic, warned that Serbian journalism "has never been in a worse position" and criticized the Government of Serbia for failing to begin implementation of the Media Strategy. In his words, there is no political will to regulate the media scene or to allow the media to assume a significant controlling position, similarly to countries with developed democratic system.
(Blic Online, ABC Newsletter, 21.02.2012)

Stanko Crnobrnja writes: "Some time ago, suddenly and without goodbye, TV Fox left the Serbian media market. The Serbian Fox network with a national frequency was sold to Greek buyers for one dollar. Previously, according to media experts' estimates, Fox had invested more than 50 million euros in its Serbian branch, but was unable to return even half of this money. They have been followed by Greeks, who now operate under the name of Prva Srpska TV. The new station now ranks at the third position of most-watched TV stations, behind RTS and TV Pink, and has a good chance of winning a large part of the advertising market as well as achieving a strong influence on the public opinion in Serbia. Greeks have also bought a renowned Serbian TV station B92, which is one of the rare Serbian brands that are well-known abroad. Some observers hint at an ambitious return of the German RTL to the Serbian media market after purchasing of Prva Srpska TV and TV B92. That would certainly be the desired outcome for Germans, after a disgraceful (for them) way they were excluded from the first legal contest for national frequencies in Serbia. Actually, Germans were wronged at the time. Instead of them, TV Avala became one of the stations with nation-wide frequencies. TV Avala is a project organized by the domestic competition and supported by influential political players with the aim to prevent the Germans from entering the Serbian TV market. German competition in the market (as has been demonstrated in Croatia) would not be welcomed by media tycoons or politicians.
(Politika, 25.02.2012)

The state and the media

The Government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina has adopted the report on consolidation of the newspaper and publishing company "Dnevnik Holding AD". The provincial secretary for labor, employment and gender equality, Miroslav Vasin, explained that after four extremely difficult years, it was now possible to see first positive effects in "Dnevnik Holding". The first phase of stabilization of the company has been completed, mostly thanks to the steps taken by the Government of Vojvodina and the Government of the Republic of Serbia.
(Dnevnik, 15.02.2012)

The most communicative state and political officials in Serbia in 2011 were Rasim Ljajic, who is a convincing winner, followed by Ivica Dacic, Dragan Djilas, the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance Rodoljub Sabic, and the former Vice President of the Government for European Integration, Bozidar Djelic – this is the result of the traditional research entitled "Journalists – Your Friends" and conducted by the PR agency Pragma. Among the state and political institutions, the Anti-Corruption Agency and the Office of the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance had the best relations with the media. In the category of for-profit (commercial) organizations, the winners are Prva Srpska Television, Delta Holding, TV Pink and VIP Mobile. Among non-profit organizations, journalists praised the Tourist Organization of Serbia, as well as the Volleyball, Handball and Tennis Associations of Serbia.
(Pregled, 28.02.2012)

Threats, attacks and legal processes against journalists; media-related trials and disputes

The former editor-in-chief of TV Avala, Robert Nemecek, filed a lawsuit against his former employer for "damage to reputation, honor and individual rights". A statement issued by Nemecek's legal representative says that the lawsuit was brought because Nemecek had been "dismissed from his position without prior notice due to alleged bad business results". One of the co-owners of TV Avala, Zeljko Mitrovic, responded immediately, saying that he intended to sue Nemecek for libel.
(Blic, Politika, 15.02.2012)

All 65 employees in the regional TV Novi Pazar, except the director of the station, filed a lawsuit before the local Primary Court against the city and their company. They demand to be paid their benefits for meals and refunds for the last year. Similarly to other employees in public companies in the city, their salaries are two months late.
(Danas, 15.02.2012)

A TV Studio B crew consisting of a journalist and two cameramen, was attacked in downtown Belgrade. The attacker, Dejan S. (35), suspected of violent behavior, was arrested and held in police custody. Dejan S. admitted that he had attacked the television crew, saying that "people in Serbia have difficulty surviving, while they are filming commercials".
(Beta, NDNV, 22.02.2012, Blic, UNS, Alo!, Pravda, 23.02.2012)

The First Primary Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade asked the court to begin investigation and hold in custody Dejan Zitic, the attacker on the television crew of TV Studio B.
(B92, 23.02.2012)

The Journalists' Association of Serbia (UNS) condemns the physical attack on and threats against the crew of TV Studio B. UNS considers that the characterization made by the police, that the committed act amounts to "violent behavior", is not satisfactory. This attack should be treated as a threat to safety of persons that perform activities of public importance, says UNS.
(UNS, 23.02.2012 Danas, NUNS, 25.02.2012)

The Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS) strongly condemns the physical attack on the TV Studio B journalistic team and praises the efficient reaction of the police, which arrested the attacker, and the demand by the First Primary Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade to begin investigation against the attacker, Dejan Zitic.
(NUNS, 24.02.2012, Danas, NUNS, 25.02.2012)

After another attack on journalists, many of us wonder whether enough has been done to protect media professionals, writes newspaper Politika. The solution offered last year by the minister of internal affairs – that journalists should be given the status of official persons – has not survived the test of reality.
(Politika, 25.02.2012)

The Journalists' Association of Serbia (UNS) condemns the threats made by the director of the Public Water Systems Company (KJP Vodovod), Radoslav Milenkovic, against the correspondent of RTS in Prokuplje, Nebojsa Djordjevic. UNS reminds that the public company is obliged to give journalists access to information of public importance. The incident took place on Tuesday, 21 February, when Nebojsa Djordjevic called the director of the public company to verify the Beta agency news about possible interruptions in service.
(UNS, 23.02.2012)

Investigations of murders of journalists

According to the statistics by Serbia’s Ministry of Interior, attacks on journalists in the country have decreased in the past two years. In 2010, there were seven recorded attacks against journalists. In 2011, three cases of threats to journalists’ safety were recorded. The police had solved all of the above-mentioned cases, Serbia’s Minister of the Interior, Ivica Dacic, said during a recent meeting with a delegation of the Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), headed by Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General. SEEMO reminded Dacic that the murders of three journalists – Dada Vujasinovic in 1994, Slavko Curuvija in 1999 and Milan Pantic in 2001 – were still unsolved. Neither the perpetrators nor the masterminds have been arrested. Dacic assured the delegation that the police would re-examine these cases and determine whether there have been any new developments that need to be considered. He said that all the material related to these cases had been delivered to the prosecution, but “it does not mean that the material suffices to press charges.” In other words, there may not be enough conclusive evidence. Currently, five journalists in Serbia, all specialised in reporting on corruption, have been given 24-hour police protection by the Ministry of the Interior.
(SEEMO, 22.02.2012)

The Media Strategy

Representatives of the Journalists' Association of Serbia (UNS) demand that the government begin implementation of the Media Strategy and point out the difficult position of journalists in Serbia and the pressure they are exposed to. The president of the Association, Ljiljana Smajlovic, said in Kraljevo that "neither the society nor journalists who care about professionalism and the freedom of expression can be satisfied before fundamental issues are solved – like transparency of ownership over the media".
(Blic, 26.02.2012, B92, NUNS, UNS, 27.02.2012)

The Media Strategy prepared by the National Council of Hungarians specifies measures intended to ensure recovery of the media in Hungarian language, formation of the Hungarian Media Network and reporting that is in accordance with "Hungarian tradition" with the aim to preserve the identity of Hungarians in Vojvodina. "The Strategy constitutes a guideline for creation of a sensible and functional media system of Vojvodina Hungarians encompassing all parts of Vojvodina, while at the same time being connected with the Hungarian media network of the Carpathian region", says the document. The Strategy also defines specific measures aimed at increasing the number of viewers and readers of the media in Hungarian language, including strengthening of public service broadcasting-type of mass communication in accordance with "Hungarian tradition" which would build, maintain and develop the community. Expectations formulated by the Strategy are mandatory for media outlets – like public service broadcasters – that were founded or co-founded by the National Council of Hungarians, while directors and editors-in-chief are responsible for published content and adherence to and implementation of the guidelines defined by the Media Strategy. It is also envisioned that adherence to the stipulated guidelines would be monitored by an expert body founded by the National Council of Hungarians. According to the document, Hungarian language media outlets in Vojvodina would be required, among other things, to efficiently contribute to strengthening of the awareness of identity of the Hungarian community in Vojvodina, mutual solidarity, and cohesion of the community. The media is also supposed to promote family values and creation of families with children, says the Strategy. The media is also suggested to "appropriately celebrate, present in news and report on" holidays of the Hungarian nation and the Hungarian community in Vojvodina, including significant days and events aimed to preserve tradition, and are "obliged" to publish information about Hungarians in diaspora and "enclaves". In addition to this, the media is expected to preserve and strengthen the religious identity as an "organic part of the identity of the Hungarian community in Vojvodina".
(RTV, NDNV, 28.02.2012)

Minority media

Dragan Jurakic, a member of the provincial assembly, has strongly protested against the annulment of the legitimacy of the opinion of the Croatian national minority at the regional public service broadcaster Radio-Televisio Vojvodina. In his words, the public contest for the position of the editor-in-chief of television programme in Croatian language has been ignored in a legal sense, while the procedure for election of the editor has been redefined as a "discretionary right of the general director of RTV, Sinisa Isakov". The editor-in-chief has been appointed without the approval of the Croatian National Council.
(NUNS, Autonomija, 20.02.2012)

The news and publishing company "Magyar Szo" is about to get a new managing board. Its founder, the National Council of Hungarians, is expected to make the decision at its next session.
(Magyar Szo, NUNS, 23.02.2012)

Istvan Bodzoni, the director of RTV Panon in Hungarian language, has announced the beginning of creation of the television network of Vojvodina Hungarians within the company. So far, contracts with six local self-governments and three RTV centers have been signed. One of the goals is to create a content-rich programme with reports and items from Serbian-language TV stations translated into Hungarian language. At the same time, the possibility of subtitling the certain programmes of Hungarian TV stations into Serbian language is being negotiated. It is also planned to create a capable team of correspondents from Belgrade, as well as to increase cooperation with editorial offices of other media outlets in Hungarian language – Magyar Szo, Het Nap and Radio Subotica. One of the plans – aimed at making the programme of TV Panon available to as wide an audience in Vojvodina as possible – envisions increased cooperation with cable providers. The programme of RTV Panon is already available via the IPTV network in Serbia, as well as on the Internet.
(eKapija, ABC Newsletter, 21.02.2012)

Whether by accident or not, while the media are reporting on Romanian objections to Serbian candidacy for membership in the EU caused by the allegedly unsolved problems of the Vlachs in Serbia, the regional TV Bor is the first station in Serbia to begin subtitling programmes into Vlach language, using the Cyrillic alphabet. The Vlach writing system was adopted at the end of January of this year. While the National Council of the Vlach National Minority welcomes this decision, the strongest political party of the Vlach says that the project launched by TV Bor is a huge disgrace and mockery of the Vlach language.
(Tanjug, Politika, Danas, UNS, Blic, NUNS, 29.02.2012)