Privatizacija lokalnih medija u Srbiji – zablude i šanse
Privatisation of Local Media in Serbia – Misconceptions and Chances

Summary/Abstract: Transition is a period when hard decisions have to be made about the changes, uncertain in their outcomes.This applies also to media sphere, especially to media privatisation, without which no line could be drawn between the previous system, dominated by social, state ownership. The principle, rooted in the democratic world, that the state and its bodies cannot be owners and founders of media, has been incorporated in media laws in Serbia, adopted in the first years of democratic changes. Thus, the articles on media privatisation include also regional and local media founded by local self-governments. The deadlines for privatisation have been changed several times by the government, implying that it is not ready to finish the process. After the pressures from local communities, especially those populated predominantly by ethnic minorities, local media privatisation was definitely abandoned. The excuse was in the right for information on the minority languages and the rights of citizens in a local community. Granted rights thus became an alibi for breaking the law and for controversial legislation. That way the reform of media system is derroded and accomplishment of the rights became uncertain.

• Details
• Contents