OSCE Mission supports consultations on decriminalization of libel in Serbia

Some 20 judges, prosecutors and representatives of the Journalists’ Association of Serbia and the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia gathered on 19 October 2011 in Belgrade to discuss the decriminalization of libel. 

The OSCE Mission to Serbia’s Media and Rule of Law Departments organized the event aimed at establishing sustained co-operation between the journalists’ associations and the associations of judges and prosecutors in safeguarding the independence of their professions.

“It is very important that journalists know the legal framework while doing their jobs, and also that the judiciary recognizes the problems media face in reporting and investigating,” said the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia’s Media Department, Dragana Nikolic Solomon.

“The co-operation of professional associations of judges and prosecutors on one side and media representatives on the other could significantly contribute to better understanding of the problems and needs of both the judiciary and journalists,” said the Vice-President of Judges’ Association, Judge Omer Hadziomerovic.

The President of the Journalists’ Association of Serbia, Ljiljana Smajlovic expressed support for the inclusion of experts and members of the general public in debates on laws: “An exchange of opinions with judges and prosecutors is very important to foster journalists’ understanding on the decision-making process and to learn about the best international practices in protecting freedom of expression”.

The consultations on the decriminalization of libel are a part of the OSCE Mission’s work in helping the public be better informed, promoting journalistic professional standards and protecting journalists in their work, as well as in establishing sustained co-operation between associations of journalists, judges and prosecutors.