United Media (UM) has addressed the Constitutional Court of Serbia regarding the attempt by the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) Council to challenge legal provisions for its dissolution, highlighting numerous examples of illegal or discriminatory actions by members of this body, it said in a press release.

To recall, in line with the media strategy and negotiations involving media associations with the support of the OSCE and the European Union, the new Law on Electronic Media mandates the dissolution of the REM Council by November 4, 2024, as part of efforts to improve the media landscape.

“However, months after the adoption of this law, and following the parliamentary and local elections, REM submitted an initiative to the Constitutional Court to review the constitutionality of the law in an effort to contest the legally mandated removal of its officials,” said the UM press release.

United Media said it has a vested interest in this proceeding, partly due to “the negative experiences of its affiliated entities in REM’s national television license competitions, which have resulted in ongoing legal proceedings and relevant complaints for two years.”

“In its address to the Constitutional Court, a company from the United Media group emphasized numerous examples of illegal or discriminatory actions by REM, for which Council members are primarily responsible. These include selective law enforcement, neglect of supervisory duties over electronic media (especially during the election process, as well as non-compliance with programs based on which national broadcasters were granted licenses), pressure on independent media, and other unlawful actions. We highlighted numerous assessments from credible domestic and international organizations that challenge the impartiality and work of the existing REM Council, including the European Commission, United Nations, OSCE, ODIHR, Anti-Corruption Council, international media organizations, etc. We also pointed to strategic documents and legal acts that involve restructuring REM as the first task in improving media freedom in Serbia. Among other things, United Media reminded the Constitutional Court of public statements by former REM officials that undoubtedly reveal the need for a thorough revision of this body’s operations,” the press release says.

It is noted that the current provisions of the Law on Electronic Media, which provide for the dissolution of the existing REM Council and the appointment of a new one, neither violate the rule of law nor are discriminatory, nor do they infringe on anyone’s right to participate in public affairs management.

“United Media believes that these provisions are a necessary first (but not the only) step towards improving the state of media freedom, and that any delay in their implementation would be a clear sign of continued erosion of Serbian citizens’ fundamental right to independent public information. We hope the Constitutional Court will make the right decision,” said UM.