New media laws coincide with deadline for Telekom to buy tabloid

The 5th anniversary of the signing of a contract between Telekom Serbia and Wireless Media, a company owned by media magnate Igor Zezelj, expired on October 15. That contract says that the state-controlled telecommunications company can buy Zezelj’s company which publishes the Kurir tabloid.

One of the draft laws includes a disputed article which allows the state, that is state-owned companies, to own media outlets despite pledges by the authorities that the state would no longer own any media outlet. That article was disputed by members of Serbian journalist and media organizations who sat on the Working Group drafting the laws alongside government-appointed officials and experts.

The Serbian authorities exert influence on the media through Telekom Serbia in a number of cases with their pro-regime propaganda financed by the government. Kurir plays an important role in praising the authorities and attacking the opposition. The contract between Telekom Serbia and Zezelj’s company was kept under wraps until 2020.