If the opportunity to reform the body that has the power to shape the media space in Serbia is missed now, and if people with integrity are not elected to it, the media scene in Serbia will remain hostage to political influence for years to come.
In the midst of the political crisis in Serbia, when the public's attention is focused on the fall of the canopy and the accompanying protests, the news that the Committee for Culture and Information has finally announced a competition for the election of new members of the Council of the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM) went almost unnoticed. This decision, made months after the expiration of the legal deadline, represents only the latest in a series of controversies that follow REM - a body that plays a key role in shaping the media space in Serbia.
Elections for REM are no less important than parliamentary elections, especially in the current situation. REM has the power to shape the media space of Serbia, which means that it directly influences the way citizens get information, form opinions and participate in democratic processes. If we get a Council made up of members with integrity, experts who will not succumb to political pressure, REM can become an engine of change on the media scene - a body that will ensure fair representation, suppress propaganda and hate speech and encourage pluralism. This would mean not only freer media, but also more informed citizens and a healthier democracy, where key decisions are guided by the interests of the public, not the ruling structures. Thus, the result of the next parliamentary elections could be different if the citizens had access to timely, accurate and unbiased information that would be provided to them by media free from political influence.
The mandate of the REM Council, which has nine members, expired on November 4, 2024, which is a consequence of the amendments to the Law on Electronic Media from December 2023. The new law brings significant changes - for the first time, the entire REM Council is elected at once, and the proposers of individual members are no longer state institutions such as, for example, the provincial government. Now, candidates are proposed exclusively by civil society organizations, universities, journalist and media associations, churches, national councils of minorities and independent institutions such as the Protector of Citizens and the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality.
The contest was supposed to be announced no later than August 4, but the Committee for Culture and Information ignored this obligation, waiting for a politically convenient moment. Finally, on November 25, in the midst of friction in the Assembly, the opposition was informed about the Committee's session only three hours before its holding. This obvious strategy of reducing the visibility of the proceedings only confirms how politically significant the elections for the REM Council are.
According to the conditions of the competition, the proposers have 15 days to submit proposals for two candidates. Organizations such as universities and journalists' associations must provide evidence of their status, while proposed candidates must meet a number of criteria - including ten years' experience in the media and proven merit in the fight for freedom of expression and human rights. After the completion of the nomination process, the National Assembly has the task of electing new REM members through transparent public interviews and voting.
Although the Law foresees the independence of the proponent, the reality is far from ideal. The state, without direct participation in the proposal, will try to maintain control through pressure on the proposers and the use of GONGO organizations - fake non-governmental organizations that act in the interest of the government. We are aware of REM's decisions in the last decade, related to the allocation of national frequencies to PINK and TV Happy, as well as the halting of the decision to allocate the fifth frequency. The controversial decision to grant the Belgrade frequency to the tabloid "Informer" on the last day of the mandate of the old Council is just one example of how this body functions under political influence. Olivera Zekić told us in her farewell letter: What you asked for, you got.
However, this year's elections present a unique opportunity to change the entire structure of REM. The new law enables a complete reconstruction of the composition, which could lead to a more independent and responsible REM. This opportunity, however, will not materialize by itself. Citizens, all proposers and the international community must closely monitor every step - from the nomination of candidates, through public interviews, to voting in the Assembly.
To repeat, REM has a key role in controlling the media space, especially during election campaigns, when its monitoring of the balance in media reporting is essential. Transparent and independent elections for the REM can create the basis for a freer media, better protection of minority rights and suppression of propaganda. If the opportunity for reform is missed, the media scene in Serbia will remain hostage to political influence for years to come.
The citizens of Serbia deserve REM that works in their interest, not in the interest of the government. All those who believe in media freedom and democracy must now take responsibility for ensuring a fair process. This fight for REM is not just a fight for independent media – it's a fight for the future of our democracy. Let's really and loudly ask for REM Council with integrity this time, and then maybe we'll get it.
The author is the executive director of Civic Initiatives
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