The thirtieth monitoring report analyses attacks and threats against journalists and looks at the implementation of new and existing legislation that affects the media.
(ANEM/IFEX) – 23 April 2012 – ANEM has released its 30th report on media monitoring in Serbia, for the period of January to February 2012.
Here are the highlights:
• What is causing unfavorable situation in the area of freedom of expression; analyzed cases of threats to a sports journalist, violent behavior and attack on a TV crew: case law in cases of attacks on journalists – analysis of court proceedings, with one pointing to reasons for perceiving the court practice in such cases as one of the main causes of problems in exercising the freedom of expression, and the other as an example of an improvement in work of certain courts and their more strict penal policy for perpetrators of attacks on journalists and cameramen
• Implementation of existing regulations – the Public Information Law – what are the dilemmas in relation to the application of Article 82 of the said law in practice of Serbian courts (not holding journalists, editors and founders of media outlets liable for damages) particularly in cases of an accurate quote of police reports; Broadcasting Law – the issue of criteria under which the Republic Broadcasting Agency had issued broadcasting licenses to national broadcasters, as well as the point in issuing consent for changing ownership structure of broadcasters with valid licenses; regulating of cable program broadcasting
• Work of competent authorities – regulatory bodies – the analysis and explanation of “must carry” obligation that RATEL, on the RBA’s demand, may impose to dominant operator of electronic communications network for distribution and broadcasting of media content, under specific conditions; state bodies – activities of the Ministry of Culture, Media and Information Society related to the work on new laws foreseen by the Action Plan of the Media Strategy; the work of the Commission for Copyright and Related Rights in relation to the entering into force of the new unfavorable and illegal SOKOJ tariff of fees for broadcasters
• Digitalization process – amendments to the Digitalization strategy and relevant Rulebook, as well as key challenges of this process
• Process of privatization of media – analysis of the current situation in this area, solutions provided in the Media Strategy and importance for media of bringing this process to an end