Activity Details (ID# 15500)

Activity Synopsis

The seminar on media coverage and judicial proceedings was organized in Belgrade, on 4th and 5th October 2007, in cooperation with the Independent Associations of Journalists of Serbia (NUNS).
General purpose of the seminar was to inform journalists on European standards in this field, to exchange the information with the colleagues from other European countries (Ireland and UK), to summarise Serbian legislation and practise and to emphasize all problems existing in this area.
 

The activity was co-organized with the NUNS and it is a part of the EAR/CoE joint project Support to Freedom of Expression and Information in Sebia.
The objective of the project is to promote freedom of expression and information and freedom of the media in Serbia in line with Council of Europe standards.

The aim of the activity was to raise awareness among journalists on how important is there work in connection with the justice and protection of human rights guarantied by the European Convention of Human Rights and other relevant CoE documents. Participants should be aware of the national provisions regulating the media work, as well. The intention of the seminar was to openly discuss all problems which are journalists facing reporting from judicial proceedings.
 

The follow up activity could be done, but not for the same participants. The impression of the CoE staff and experts was that this topic should be addressed for the representatives of many other Serbian media, as well.

Under the joint EAR/CoE project there is no space to repeat the same activity for the different audience.
 

Participants (20) were media professionals from various Serbian media outlets. One half of participants was representing national media, while the other part were journalists from local media (both print and electronic).

All participants were very active during the seminar. The fact that all 4 experts were present during the whole seminar and answering to participants questions in a panel format, was highly appreciated by participants.

Participants had some doubts on how and when they can release some secret information or a document which is not know to general public, but might be important for particular judicial proceeding or indirectly linked to general comments and articles where criticising the judiciary itself.

All participants and experts agreed that there are 3 levels of problems:

- general relation between media and the judiciary
- problems which might occur when criticising the particular judiciary institution for concrete action or non acting (court or prosecutors office)
- information which might effect particular defendant or witness
 

Mr Gabriel Partos, media coverage of organized crime, BBC rules and UK experience

Mr Ronan Brady, professional rules of conduct by the media concerning the coverage of criminal proceedings: the experience of another European country

Mr Omer Hadziomerovic, Judge, Belgrade District Court, overview of the Serbian legislation and court practice of the coverage of judicial proceedings by the media

Ms Tatjana Tagirov, Journalist, “Vreme” weekly newspaper, media coverage of the organized crime proceedings
 

Mr. Vladan Joksimovic, HR Adviser, CoE Belgrade Office – Council of Europe standards: European Convention on Human Rights, practise of European Court of Human Rights, CM Recommendations and moderator