OSCE Mission calls on Serbian government not to delay privatisation of municipal media
The OSCE Mission in Serbia and Montenegro supported major media projects, such as the transformation of Radio Television Serbia into a public broadcasting service. (ZOOM PRESS) Photo details
BELGRADE, 14 March 2005 - The OSCE Mission to Serbia and Montenegro today urged the Serbian Government to fully implement the privatization process of local media outlets, as foreseen by a law adopted in 2002.
The OSCE Mission Head, Ambassador Maurizio Massari, said the delay in the full implementation of the Broadcasting Law, adopted by the Serbian Parliament in July 2002, has put on hold the privatization process for local and regional broadcast media and left them vulnerable to political interference.
"Free, independent and professional media are crucial components of the democratic development of Serbian society as a whole," he said. "This very fact has led the Serbian legislature to work on establishing a legal framework that guarantees such essential principles and practices."
The newly appointed Broadcasting Council can recommend the completion of the tender procedure and allocation of licences and frequencies before the privatization process of local and regional broadcast media is launched.
Ambassador Massari called on all authorities to remain committed to this process and not to prolong state ownership of media through the premature and excessive extension of the deadline for the privatization of those media outlets.
The OSCE Mission has repeatedly emphasised the necessity of ensuring that a proper legal instrument is enacted by the competent authorities to guide the process of privatisation of local and regional broadcast media. In co-operation with the Privatization Agency, the OSCE Mission has drafted and recommended amendments to the decree adopted in August 2004 to enable its implementation.
"It is of utmost importance that the competent authorities address this issue promptly," Ambassador Massari said.
He invited the Serbian authorities to carefully consider any substantial amendments to the Broacasting Law and consult with all concerned parties.
The OSCE Mission Head, Ambassador Maurizio Massari, said the delay in the full implementation of the Broadcasting Law, adopted by the Serbian Parliament in July 2002, has put on hold the privatization process for local and regional broadcast media and left them vulnerable to political interference.
"Free, independent and professional media are crucial components of the democratic development of Serbian society as a whole," he said. "This very fact has led the Serbian legislature to work on establishing a legal framework that guarantees such essential principles and practices."
The newly appointed Broadcasting Council can recommend the completion of the tender procedure and allocation of licences and frequencies before the privatization process of local and regional broadcast media is launched.
Ambassador Massari called on all authorities to remain committed to this process and not to prolong state ownership of media through the premature and excessive extension of the deadline for the privatization of those media outlets.
The OSCE Mission has repeatedly emphasised the necessity of ensuring that a proper legal instrument is enacted by the competent authorities to guide the process of privatisation of local and regional broadcast media. In co-operation with the Privatization Agency, the OSCE Mission has drafted and recommended amendments to the decree adopted in August 2004 to enable its implementation.
"It is of utmost importance that the competent authorities address this issue promptly," Ambassador Massari said.
He invited the Serbian authorities to carefully consider any substantial amendments to the Broacasting Law and consult with all concerned parties.