A report on Serbia adopted by the European Parliament has criticised certain aspects of the media industry in the country.
In particular, it has called into question the award of four national TV licences to channels that have a history of violating journalistic standards and the dominant market poition of Telekom Srbija. In the report, it:
“Notes the fact that the REM awarded four national frequencies to channels that have a history of violating journalistic standards, including the use of hate speech and misleading the public, in particular by Happy TV, non-compliance with warnings issued by the REM, and spreading disinformation and supporting the Kremlin’s narrative on Russia’s war in Ukraine; notes the new open call for the allocation of national television frequencies and licences, and calls for the fifth licence to be awarded through a transparent and impartial process without unnecessary delay and in compliance with international media freedom standards.
“Reiterates its concern about the dominant market position of Telekom Srbija, where the majority stakeholder is the state, and about the allegations that the ruling party is using it to increase its influence over the media market in Serbia; is also concerned about the level playing field when it comes to the competitive media market environment; in this context, underlines the importance of advances in the area of EU competition policy; is concerned about any state financing of Telekom Srbija, which gives the company an unfair competitive advantage and contributes to the declining condition of the independent media in Serbia; urges the Commission to look into the European Investment Bank’s loan of €70 million to Telekom Srbija in view of the alleged abuse of its dominant market position.
“Urges Serbia to ensure the full financial and operational independence of the regulators for electronic communication and postal services (RATEL) and for the electronic media (REM) to boost their capacity to work proactively; calls on Serbia to align to the EU electronic communication code, ensure competitiveness and market operators’ access to the electronic communication infrastructure”.
Broadband TV News notes that Serbia applied to join the EU in December 2009.
