The Ministry of Information and Telecommunications organized last week the first of the four planned round tables as part of the public debate on the Draft Law on Public Information and Media, and the Draft Law on Electronic Media. The round table was attended by the Minister of Information and Telecommunication, Mihajlo Jovanović, the Minister of European Integration, Tanja Miščević, and international partners news and media companies.
The Draft Law in Public Information and Media brings extensive changes that will promote the area of public information. The Draft Law defines public interest in the scope of information, offers precise guidelines for the work of media publishers and introduces the Unique Information System for transparent monitoring of co-financed media projects. Along with the existing Media Register, the Record of media content creators is also introduced. The Draft Law will offer labour law protection to journalists, thus additionally strengthening the foundation for the protection of professional integrity of journalism from potential misuse and pressures.
On the other hand, the Draft Law on Electronic Media should significantly aid the increase in independence and professionalism of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media. Organizational, functional, and financial independence of REM is strengthened additionally, with new authorities also being introduced, such as Council, as decision-making body, and director, as representative body. The criteria for the selection of Council members are becoming stricter, and mandates are limited to six years without the option of re-election. Furthermore, special attention is paid to the protection of minors.
TS Legal Law Office has been following these changes with particular attention understanding their importance for the media scene and for the society as a whole. Stevan Pajović, TS Legal Law Firm partner, as a member of the working group for the development of Draft Law on Electronic Media, actively contributes do the development of these legal proposals. Stevan’s engagement, in the form of providing expert opinions and identifying legal defects, is pivotal for the advancement of the Draft Law.
In our office’s previous article, you can read a more detailed overview of the key ch In our office’s previous article, you can read a more detailed overview of the key changes and novelties brought by the new Law on Electronic Media. anges and novelties brought by the new Law on Electronic Media.
TS Legal is inviting all interested parties, the expert community, non-governmental organizations, and individuals to take part in the public debate so that together we would contribute to better legal solutions in the field of media. For more information on the schedule of planned Round tables within the public debate on the Draft Law on Public Information and Media, and the Draft Law on Electronic Media in other cities in Serbia, please visit the official website of the Ministry of Information and Telecommunication.
