October 31, 2024
Serbia has not progressed on freedom of expression recommendations adopted last year, according to the European Commission’s assessment published in the latest report on Serbia’s progress.
The European Commission has sought that Serbia implement and respect new media laws, and that it ensure the independence of the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media and the election of new members of the REM Council.
The Commission is also seeking that Serbia strengthen the protection and security of journalists. It is being requested in particular that senior officials cease labelling journalists or attacking them verbally, and that all threats and cases of physical and verbal violence receive quick responses and, if necessary, public condemnation, investigation or prosecution.
The EC stated that there are still cases of threats, intimidation, hate speech and violence against journalists, pointing to the increases in such incidents recorded by journalists’ associations.
“Continuous statements by senior officials about the daily and investigative work of journalists have a frightening effect on freedom of expression,” noted the report, in which it is also stated that, “following inexplicable delays in the publication of the verdict,” the Court of Appeal passed an acquittal in February in the trial for the murder of journalist Slavko Ćuruvija, with this crime thus remaining unpunished after 25 years.
The report also requests that Serbia ensure transparency and fairness in the project-based co-financing of media content, but also transparency when it comes to media ownership and advertising.
