The Serbian parliament has voted in favour of controversial media legislation that has been widely criticised both in the country and internationally.
According to local reports, the Law on Public information and Media was passed with 142 votes in favour, 18 against and 15 abstentions, and Law on Electronic Media were supported by 144 MPs, with 14 against and 15 abstaining.
As previously reported by Broadband TV News, the main concerns about the legislation are that it will block much-needed reforms of the regulator REM.
Furthermore, it will allow the state to control private media through Telekom Srbija.
The incumbent telco is majority state owned and already has a large portfolio of media assets.
