The Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS)

"The media is a public good and no one, not even a media owner, has the right to submit the programme content to their own personal interest and desires. At the same time, Zeljko Mitrovic has made a problematic statement in which he pointed out that his media company would never again cover up the incidents and difficulties whose victims are Serbian, Bosnian and Montenegrin citizens who decided to spend their vacation in Croatia. Covering-up of facts is a most serious violation of fundamental professional and ethical principles in the news business", says the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS). The Association also expects that the Council of the Republic Broadcasting Agency (RRA) will immediately consider whether the step taken by TV Pink violates the Law on Broadcasting as well.
(Pravda, Press, Dnevnik, Danas, 05.08.2011)

Zeljko Mitrovic has responded to the statement issued by the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS). He called the NUNS a group of volunteers and announced that he would not allow them to impose censorship.
(Kurir, Politika, Blic, 05.08.2011)

The Journalists' Association of Serbia (UNS)

The Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS) and the Journalists' Association of Serbia (UNS) have sharply criticized TV Pink because of its owner's intention to boycott advertising of Croatian tourism, music and cinematography in the station's programme. The UNS points out that the boycott, favoring and covering up constitute serious violations of the Journalistic Code of Conduct of Serbia and the Code of Contact of Broadcasters.
(Pravda, 05.08.2011)

The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)

The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) asked the Ministry of Culture to prolong the public debate on the proposed Rulebook on Communication Control. ANEM warned the Ministry of Culture that the proposed provisions of the Rulebook would limit the right of the media and journalists to protect the confidentiality of their sources.
(Beta, Blic, Pravda, 04.08.2011)

The Republic Broadcasting Agency (RRA)

The Government of Serbia has approved the Decision of the Council of the Republic Broadcasting Agency (RRA) on the amount of the fee for cable broadcasting of programme, which will total five percent of the fee for terrestrial radio and TV stations. This means that in the future the RRA will also issue licenses for cable broadcasting, which will contribute to regulation of this area.
(Danas, 08.08.2011)

Dejan Popovic writes in the Media Center Newsletter: "We call on all cable providers to include in their packages the programmes of regional and local broadcasters in territories that are licensed to such broadcasters." (Announcement of the Council of the Republic Broadcasting Agency, July 13, 2011). The conflict of interest between broadcasters and operators of cable distribution networks, on the one hand, and the operators and users, on the other hand, cannot be solved by a public appeal but only by implementation of the Article 101 of the Law on Electronic Communication. In accordance with this provision, at the request of the Republic Broadcasting Agency, the Republic Agency for Electronic Communication (RATEL) specifies operators of cable distribution networks who are obliged to transmit one or more radio or TV programmes at the national, provincial, regional or local level.
(MC Newsletter, 12.08.2011)

The Republic Agency for Electronic Communication (RATEL)

The executive director of the Republic Agency for Electronic Communication, Milan Jankovic, said that the Agency would continue its activities aimed at harmonizing the sector of electronic communication with EU regulations. One of the first steps is the preparation and adoption of solutions for identifying the operators with significant market share in relevant markets. This will contribute to establishment of equal market conditions and protection of users' interest, believes Jankovic.
(Danas, 05.08.2011)

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)

SEEMO supports the demands of professional journalists' associations in Serbia to participate in a democratic and transparent debate in the formulation of the country's new media strategy.
(SEEMO, 05.08.2011)

Issue No. 10
August 04-19, 2011

Abbreviations