The Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS)

The Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS) calls on all journalists to adhere to professional standards, ethical norms and legal regulations while reporting on professional activities of individuals holding official positions. In the pervasive atmosphere of the hunt for exclusive headlines and market competition, in which all editorial teams legitimately participate, journalists must not allow their professional reputation to be damaged due to reporting of untrue information or half-truths received from "reliable sources" without relevant proof. Daily newspaper Informer reported on alleged abuses in the State Lottery of Serbia (DLS) and NUNS has received complaints from the director of DLS, Tijana Andjelic, saying that the newspaper not only had published unverified information without a valid source or verification in the company, but that denials issued by DLS were published in a shortened and commented version, in violation of the Law on Information and the Code of Conduct of Serbian Journalists. The media must not take the role of the judge and the jury, nor prepare conditions for removal of individuals that are supposedly close to the previous government, says the press statement.
(NUNS, 07.09.2012)

The Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS) the Independent Journalists' Association of Vojvodina (NDNV) in its strong condemnation of the conduct of the bankruptcy manager of the company "Agrikol Brdar i Ostali", Ivana Matic, who forbade the journalists with Radio-Television Vojvodina and Tanjug to attend the public sale of the assets of the company. NUNS has informed the Republic Agency for Licensing of Bankruptcy Managers about the unacceptable discrimination and demanded explanation and appropriate sanctions against the manager, especially taking into account the fact that criminal charges for harmful conduct had been filed against Ivana Matic.
(NUNS, 30.08.2012)

The Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS) is concerned about the statement made by first vice president of the Government of Serbia and the minister of defense, Aleksandar Vucic, who had mentioned the possibility of financing the public service broadcaster from the national budget, but "under certain conditions imposes by the state". NUNS calls on the Government of Serbia and the Ministry of Culture to consider the manner of financing of the public service broadcaster, since it is obvious that the existing model does not allow unhindered functioning of RTS and RTV.
(NUNS, 14.09.2012)

The Journalists' Association of Serbia (UNS)

The Journalists' Association of Serbia (UNS) condemns the messages received by Milan Milinovic, the director and the editor-in-chief of TV Vujic from Valjevo, which were signed with the name Bradic. UNS points out that according to the Law on Public Information no one is allowed to limit the freedom of information, even indirectly, especially by abusing official or private authority.
(UNS, 11.09.2012, Informer, 12.09.2012, Vecernje novosti, 13.09.2012)

The Journalists' Association of Serbia (UNS) strongly condemns the hate graffiti written on the premises of the Romanian association "Viktorija" in Vrsac, where a television station of the same name is located and which broadcasts programme in Romanian and Serbian languages. UNS demands that the police immediately identify the perpetrators of this act of vandalism.
(UNS, 12.09.2012, Alo!, Dnevnik, 13.09.2012)

The Journalists' Association of Serbia (UNS) calls on the city of Smederevo administration to accept applications from online media for the media-related public contest organized by the administration. UNS is of the opinion that limiting the range of participants to the print media, radio and television stations unfairly excludes online media outlets, which are capable of informing citizens with a quality that equals the traditional media.
(UNS, 13.09.2012)

The Republic Broadcasting Agency (RRA)

The Council of the Republic Broadcasting Agency (RRA) decided to prepare and sign a Protocol on Cooperation with the Commission for Protection of Competition and the Committee for Securities with the aim to more efficiently control the data related to possible cases of impermissible concentration of ownership over the media. The initiative was launched by the Council because of legal limitations that prevent the Council from investigating indications of possible impermissible concentration of media ownership.
(RRA, 05 09.2012)

The Council of the Republic Broadcasting Agency (RRA) has announced that in the future, the Agency will not respond to requests for approval of humanitarian or charity advertising messages or public service messages delivered by authorities before their airing by broadcasters. RRA says that according to laws related to broadcasting, public information and advertising, broadcasters are completely free, which also entails certain responsibilities.
(RRA, 05.09.2012, Vecernje novosti, 06.09.2012)

Acting upon the request submitted by the Primary Prosecutor's Office in Valjevo, RTV Mars d.o.o. and RTV Valjevo-Kronik were inspected in cooperation with the Republic Broadcasting Agency (RRA) and the Republic Agency for Electronic Communication (RATEL). It was established that these stations were broadcasting programme illegally for a long time. A report was delivered to the Primary Public Prosecutor's Office in Valjevo against responsible individuals from these stations because of suspicions related to unauthorized engagement in certain activities. So far, equipment has been confiscated from radio stations Raka Esinger, which used to broadcast its programme in the Lazarevac region, Radio Link, which aired programme in the city of Valjevo, Radio Mac Level ML, which broadcast programme in the urban area of Novi Sad, and Radio Bos from Surcin, whose illegal broadcasting interfered with proper functioning of the air traffic.
(RRA, 03.09.2012, Tanjug, e-kapija, Press, Blic, 04.09.2012, Vecernje novosti, 09.05.2012)

The Council of the Republic Broadcasting Agency (RRS) has been contacted by several broadcasters from Serbia that informed it about the increase in royalties that they are obliged to pay to Sokoj. Broadcasters demand that the RRA act and exert influence on organizations (SOKOJ, OFPS and other), and to demand that they reconsider the amount of royalties in accordance with the difficult situation in the country. The Council of the RRA responded that the increase in the amount of royalties was not within their competency.
(RRA, 07.09.2012)

The Republic Agency for Electronic Communication (RATEL)

The Republic Agency for Electronic Communication (RATEL) has announced a public contest for employment of six new implementers.
(RATEL, Danas, 06.09.2012)

The Republic Agency for Electronic Communication (RATEL) has published a list – updated on 11 September 2012, of FM, TV and radio stations that use the radio-frequency spectrum without approval. Aside from 31 radio and TV stations, the list includes Radio Balkan (former Radio Fokus) with special frequencies in 10 cities of Serbia, as well as three radio stations that have continued broadcasting their programme even after the revokation of their licenses. Additional information is available at the website of RATEL.
(RATEL, 11.09.2012)

South East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO)

SEEMO South East Europe Media Forum, which is going to take place on 22-23 October in Budva/Becici, Montenegro. The topic is “Journalism and New Media”. The conference is going to take take place in hotel Spendid in Budva/Becici: www.montenegrostars.com/www/index.php/de/our-hotels-4/hotel-splendid-conference-spa-resort
(SEEMO, 07.09.2012)