The Media Department of the OSCE Mission to Serbia supports the strengthening and empowerment of the media, which will objectively and accurately report on news of public importance, in order to encourage debate and allow democracy to thrive.

Media legislation

Together with the Ministry of Culture, competent authorities, media associations and professionals, the Media Department assists in drafting and amending media laws to international and European standards. The Department co-operates closely with the EU Delegation and the Council of Europe in its legislative activities.

The Media Department also monitors the implementation of key legislation such as the Law on Public Information and Broadcasting. It provides a forum for public discussion on pressing issues in the field of media legislation, such as the transparency of media ownership and the transition to digital broadcasting. The Mission supports the development of professional, accountable and independent regulatory bodies for electronic media.

Freedom of the media

The Media Department documents cases where the rights of the media have been violated, in order to highlight the challenges facing the press in Serbia today and to offer sustainable solutions based on the best international practices and the values upheld by the OSCE.

The Department supports the establishment and promotion of the Press Council as the first self-regulatory body for print media in Serbia, as well as promoting regional co-operation, dialogue and exchange of experience among journalists from the Balkans through activitiy carried out in co-operation with journalists’ associations.

Support to public service broadcasting

The Mission provides expert assistance to strengthen broadcast media in Serbia, as well as  transform and reorganize state- and municipally-owned media outlets to  modern and professional media standards.

Together with IREX, the Media Department is assisting the transformation of Radio-Television Vojvodina (RTV) into a genuine public service broadcaster. RTV covers the unique, ethnically-diverse province of Vojvodina, broadcasting in ten national minority languages. With the help of experienced British journalists, the department organizes training workshops and offers expert advice to improve the network’s programming.

The changes are clearly visible: Balanced reporting, a more professional news output, and an increased emphasis on local issues, are all attracting a larger audience. In co-operation with the Deutche Welle Academie, a programme of support to Radio Belgrade has also been developed.

Media Programmes

The Media Department considers support to the professional development of media as an integral part of fulfilling its mandate. The programmes work in collaboration with donors in order to improve the professional standards of the media in Serbia. The targeted training programmes throughout Serbia provide an opportunity for print and broadcast media professionals to expand and improve their skills as well as guide them on how to effectively and objectively report on issues surrounding the judicial system, politics, corruption, organized crime, war crimes, diversity and the environment..

The programme is also focused on improving communication between the media and authorities such as the National Assembly and National Minority Councils.The training consists of various workshops and seminars, as well as study trips to institutions abroad such as the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague and media institutions in European countries.

Strengthening local and regional media

The Media Department concentrates on supporting areas of journalism responsible to the public interest. The Department also works on strengthening local and regional media through training and support for news production and topical education.

Enhancing communication between media and authorities

The Media Department works on improving and standardizing communication channels between the media and authorities. It organizes seminars for local civil servants and National Minority Council members, as well as briefing reporters for the National Assembly on the regulations surrounding parliamentary procedure.