BELGRADE, 24.05.2018. – Serbian media organizations on Wednesday are considering the possibility of continuing work on the new national media strategy, after quitting the working group drafting that document late in April.
According to unofficial reports, Culture and Information Ministry State Secretary Aleksandar Gajovic will not be in the working group. He was heavily criticised by several media organizations for allegedly denying attacks on journalists and saying that media and journalists’ associations do not need to be on the working group.Several media organizations demanded his resignation.
The drafting of the media strategy was stopped in April following consultations between Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and President Aleksandar Vucic who called for more openness in the process.
A press release after the meeting with media and journalists’ association representatives in the government headquarters said that the goal is to have all relevant associations working on the strategy. “This is an important document for the development of the media scene in Serbia and the goal is to have every relevant journalists’ and media association involved in order to find the best solutions together in the interest of the media and the public and to work together to improve the position of the media in Serbia,” the press release said.The meeting was attended by the Serbian President’s media advisor Suzana Vasiljevic.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) President Slavisa Lekic feels that the political will exists, adding that the Prime Minister has clearly shown the will to cooperate. “I believe we can do something now, unlike last time. Media associations will most probably return to the working group drafting the strategy,” he said, adding that only media experts would be in the group.
Serbian Association of Journalists (UNS) President Vladimir Radomirovic said agreement had been reached to form a new working group to draft the national strategy by the end of the year when the government should adopt it. “The strategy should bring better quality information to the population,” he said.
Independent Journalists’ Society of Vojvodina (NDNV) President Nedim Sejdinovic denied that media organizations were returning to the working group drafting the strategy and added that they discussed the possibility of forming a new working group at the meeting with the Prime Minister. Sejdinovic told the Beta news agency that media associations “do not want to be an alibi for the drafting of the media strategy with no solutions being found for current problems”, adding that the absence of Culture and Information Minister Vladan Vukosavljevic and his State Secretary Gajovic was glaringly evident.
