The Serbian Parliament has adopted amendments and supplements to three media laws concerning electronic media, public media services, and public information. The aim of the amendments is to improve the media legal framework and strengthen the independence of editorial policies. The changes include clarifying the responsibilities of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM), granting autonomy in REM’s financing, prohibiting hate speech and content that incites violence, terrorism, pornography, and other unethical content. Additionally, the institution of an ombudsman for the protection of viewers’, listeners’, and readers’ rights is established, and domestic legislation is aligned with the legal acquis of the European Union. These changes aim to ensure the independence and ethical standards of media reporting and improve the quality of media services in Serbia.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning sources emphasize the importance of these amendments in strengthening media freedom and independence from political and economic pressures. They highlight the positive steps towards aligning Serbian media laws with European standards and protecting minority rights by banning hate speech and discriminatory content.
Center: Center-leaning sources focus on the legal and regulatory improvements brought by the amendments, noting the technical clarifications and institutional changes such as the establishment of the ombudsman. They present the changes as necessary updates to modernize the media landscape and ensure compliance with EU norms.
Right: Right-leaning sources may express cautious support for the amendments but often emphasize the need to balance media freedom with national interests and security. They might stress the importance of preventing sensationalism and unethical content while warning against excessive regulation that could limit free speech.