19. 03. 2013

PETKOVIC: STATE MUST WITHDRAW FROM MEDIA

Belgrade, March 19, 2013 (Tanjug) - The Culture and Media Minister Bratislav Petkovic said today that the Law on Public Information and Media would provide for the state's withdrawal from ownership in media within foreseen deadlines.

"This would not imply the absence of government responsibility and achievement of public interest in public information", said Petkovic during the public discussion on the Draft Law on Public Information and Media.

Addressing the issue of project financing of the media, Petkovic said that the state would ensure the funds in the next year's budget allocated to this field be significantly increased.

According to him, the transition to project financing of media will imply timely preparations in terms of finances, organization and personnel.

"There will be no more pressure on the media coming from any level of the government administration", Petkovic concluded, adding that the state would be responsible and warranting the freedom and independence of the media.

Head of EU Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert commended this Draft Law stipulating the withdrawal of the state from ownership in media, as well as project financing of media at all levels and under equal and transparent conditions.

Representatives of international organizations supporting the media reforms in Serbia said that the freedom of media was one of the key elements for the building of democratic society and European integration. Representatives of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, European Commission and British Embassy in Belgrade also supported the withdrawal of the state from media and transparent project financing that would create equal conditions on the media market.