Serbian Broadcasting Law amendments ought to be withdrawn, OSCE Mission argues in analytical report

BELGRADE, 11 August 2006 - Ambassador Hans Ola Urstad, Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia today called on Serbian authorities to withdraw recently adopted Broadcasting Law Amendments, saying that some of them violate media freedom rights protected by both the Serbian Constitution and the European Convention of Human Rights.

The amendments relate, among other issues, to the scope of activity of the Republican Broadcasting Agency and the manner in which its decisions are implemented.

Ambassador Urstad delivered to the authorities an OSCE legal analysis report that advises that the amendments be revised and combined with other proposals expected to come soon from the Minister of Culture. Ambassador Urstad handed the report to the Speaker of the Serbian Assembly, the President of the Parliamentary Media Committee, the Office of the President of Serbia, the Prime Minister's Office and to the Ministry of Culture. In addition, the analysis was sent to the Republican Broadcasting Agency.

"These amendments need to be withdrawn because they endanger media freedom in Serbia," Ambassador Urstad said. "Before any new amendments are put through a parliamentary procedure, they should be thoroughly analysed by and commented on by all interested parties."

The OSCE Mission previously had criticized the Broadcasting Agency for failing to hold necessary consultations with domestic stakeholders and international institutions as the amendments were created. The Parliament adopted the amendments on 19 July, but the President sent them back on 27 July for renewed voting.

"This OSCE analysis explains why there is no need for an urgent adoption of the amendments and why some of the amendments have to be rejected," Urstad added.