OSCE Representative meets Serbian Prime Minister to discuss media freedom issues

BELGRADE, 27 March 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović met with the Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić today to discuss media freedom issues in Serbia and the OSCE region.

“I am pleased with the outcome of the meeting today, we discussed a number of media freedom issues, such as the safety of journalists, support of the public service broadcaster and reforms to state-owned media,” Mijatović said. “It is important that Serbia’s OSCE Chairmanship is paying special attention to media freedom in the OSCE region and journalists’ safety, and I very much value the co-operation between the Chairmanship and my Office on these important issues.”

Vučić said: “We are ready to do anything to secure a safe environment for all journalists and to ensure freedom of the media. The co-operation with the Representative’s Office is essential in this respect, and we will continue to work closely together.”

The Prime Minister and the Representative discussed the recently adopted media laws that are an essential foundation for reforming the public service broadcaster, privatization of state-owned media and digitalization in Serbia. They also discussed the Representative’s engagement in media freedom issues throughout the OSCE region.

Mijatović expressed her satisfaction with the recent indictment of the suspected masterminds behind the killing of the Serbian journalist Slavko Ćuruvija, who was killed in 1999. The Prime Minister and the Representative also discussed the case of Brankica Stanković, author and editor of the programme "Insajder" at the B92 Television station, a case the Representative will continue to follow closely. 

During her visit to Belgrade, Mijatović participated in a two-day conference on journalist’s safety, organized by the OSCE Chairmanship. The Representative also met with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Serbia’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić, the Minister of Culture and Information Ivan Tasovac, the management of the Serbian public service broadcaster RTS, the regulatory authority, media organizations and journalists, during her visit. 

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.