A proposed new law changing the way regulatory bodies responsible for electronic communications are funded is causing controversy in Serbia.
Balkan Insight reports that under the terms of the draft legislation, all licence fees, including subscriptions, would in future go straight into the state budget.
This would run counter to the recommendations of the Council of Europe, of which Serbia has been a member since 2003.
The proposed law would also introduce what are termed fees for the use of electronic communications networks, replacing those currently paid by operators to one of the regulators.
Significantly, neither of the two industry regulators – the Agency for Electronic Communication (RATEL) and Broadcasting Agency (RRA) – have apparently been informed or consulted on the draft law.
