OSCE Media Freedom Representative stresses necessity of debate on Serbian public service broadcaster (RTS), but raises concern regarding incident at RTS

VIENNA, 18 March 2019 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed his concern regarding the incident that took place last Saturday in the building of the national public service broadcaster RTS.

“Debate on the pluralism and independence of public service broadcasters is a necessity. The role of the public service broadcasters in providing quality and objective information to all citizens with no political interference is indispensable in democratic processes,” Désir said. “But, I am concerned about the forcible entry into the building of the public service broadcaster in Serbia. Disagreement with editorial policy should not be addressed through intimidation and pressures against journalists,” said the Representative. 

On 16 March, a group of people entered the RTS premises, demanding more objective reporting on the current political situation in the country. The Representative also noted that the entrance to the building of RTV Kraljevo was temporarily blocked last night by the group of protestors

Désir urged all sides to act with restraint without violence and to open an inclusive debate on the future of the public service broadcaster. “RTS is an important part of new media reform efforts and all stakeholders must be involved in this important process,” Désir said.