OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media addresses media related legislation in Skopje
SKOPJE, 27 October 2005 - OSCE Representative for Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, met today with the Minister of Transport and Communications, Xhemali Mehazi, representatives of the Ministry of Justice and members of Parliament in Skopje. The visit of Mr. Haraszti coincides with a Parliamentary debate on a new law on broadcasting.
"I am pleased to see that the new broadcasting law is in its final stages and that overall it is in line with OSCE standards, especially in the areas of licensing and programme standards," said Mr. Haraszti after his meeting with Minister Mehazi.
"It remains most important that this law creates stable financing for the public service and for the regulatory authority, in order to ensure their political independence."
In his meetings in Parliament and with the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Haraszti also raised the issue of the draft law on free access to information of public character.
"The right to access to information is ensured within this country's Constitution; however, there is still no legislation to govern the practical implementation of this right and therefore journalists and citizens are yet unable to exercise it," said Mr. Haraszti.
"Access to official information is not only a basic right for citizens, but also fundamental for the work of a professional and responsible press."
Mr. Haraszti also made the keynote speech at a conference on media and the internet, organized by the local organization 'Metamorphosis' and supported by his office and the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje. He said:
"The new broadcast law, once passed, and the country's 'National Strategy for Information Society', open up a range of possibilities for media to use the internet and other new digital technology. The media now must be prepared to make use of these opportunities to reach new and more diverse audiences as well as improve their professional standards."