Information Minister says draft media laws foundations for free journalism

Source: N1, Fonet
Information Minister says draft media laws foundations for free journalism
photo: IJAS

Serbia’s Information and Telecommunications Minister Mihailo Jovanovic said on Thursday that the draft media laws being presented by the government are the foundations for free and responsible journalism.

Speaking at the 4th and final round table of the public debate on the draft laws on public information and the media and on electronic media, the minister said that the laws will protect civil rights and maintain democratic values. “It’s important to have media laws capable of answering all the challenges we face.

According to Jovanovic, the media scene can’t improve without strong and just media laws.

The Information and Telecommunications Ministry called the public, NGOs and individuals to take part in the public debate which ends on October 6.

The International Press Institute (IPI) warned on Wednesday that the two draft laws are not in line with international freedom of expression standards and would represent a regressive step with wide-ranging implications for media freedom and pluralism if adopted.