OSCE Mission to Serbia and USAID organize debate on implementation of amended Public Information Law

BELGRADE, 30 October 2009 - Around 40 representatives of Serbian ministries, the judiciary and leading media outlets are participating in a debate that started today on the implementation of the amended Law on Public Information, which was adopted last summer.

The two-day event, organized by the OSCE Mission to Serbia and USAID's implementing partner IREX, aims to resolve new difficulties confronting the media and the judiciary in light of the amended Law on Public Information. The new provisions empower authorities to close media outlets and introduce greater responsibility for distribution companies and for founders of media outlets and editors-in-chief for violating the presumption of innocence or the rights of minors.

"It is essential for journalists to understand the legal framework so they can perform their work, and for judicial authorities to identify the problems which media professionals face when investigating and reporting," said Dragana Nikolic Solomon, Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia's Media Department.

Jelka Jovanovic, Vice President of the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia, added: "For the first time, since the adoption of the controversial amendments, the judiciary and the media representatives are joining forces to finds ways to implement the law. This is especially important for the general public which has a right to be informed and protected from unverified information."

The debate on the Public Information Law is a part of the OSCE Mission to Serbia work to increase the quality of public information and respect for professional media standards in Serbia.