The start of a new process for selecting members of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) Council in Serbia has sparked criticism due to the increasingly ruthless and merciless approach of the government towards independent media and law compliance. The president of the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS), Željko Bodrožić, emphasizes that the government, led by Aleksandar Vučić, controls the media and obstructs the normal work of independent journalists, while REM elections often amount to a simulation with predetermined outcomes. In the REM member selection process, the number of non-governmental and government organizations has increased, further undermining the entire process. Bodrožić warns of growing repression, pressure on media not controlled by the government, and that the government uses media laws as tools of control and propaganda. The European Union has become an important factor in this process, as the REM selection affects Serbia’s EU integration. Despite optimism due to youth activism and changes in the EU, the media situation remains difficult, with a need for street pressure and regime change to ensure media freedom and democracy.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets emphasize the authoritarian control of the Serbian government over independent media, highlighting the suppression of free press and the manipulation of the REM selection process as a tool to silence dissent and maintain power. They focus on the need for democratic reforms, international pressure, and grassroots activism to restore media freedom.
Center: Center-leaning sources report on the REM selection process with a focus on the procedural aspects and the involvement of various stakeholders, including the government and civil society. They acknowledge concerns about media freedom but also note the complexity of balancing regulation and independence, often highlighting the role of the EU in pushing for reforms.
Right: Right-leaning media tend to downplay the severity of government control over media or justify it as necessary for national stability and combating misinformation. They may portray independent media as biased or influenced by foreign interests and emphasize the government’s efforts to maintain order and sovereignty, sometimes criticizing EU interference.
