18. 03. 2013

Complaints against portals and news agencies possible

Belgrade, March 18, 2013. (Euractiv) - As of today, citizens and institutions are enabled to file a complaint to the Press Council about the content published by news agencies and news web portals.

Recently adopted amendments to the Statute of the Press Council, a self-regulatory body set up for monitoring of compliance with the Code of journalists in the print media, extended its competency to online media with no printed editions, as well as to news agencies.

The amendments to the Statute of the Press Council has also enabled its board for complains to declare whether the Code is breached by the media that have not accepted the competency of the Council, which has not been possible.

In such cases, the Board will provide an opinion that such media are not obliged to publish, but the opinion will be made ​​public.

Extension of the competency of the Press Council is expected to enable more citizens to exercise their right to complain, which would lead to a reduction in the number of lawsuits filed against media.