Activity Details (ID# 4999)

Activity Synopsis

The objectives of the seminar were:
• to provide information and training on European standards regarding freedom of expression, freedom of the media and self-regulation;
• to present and discuss with the participants the draft law on access to public information prepared by the Government. 

Mr Branislav Lecic, Minister of Culture and Media, opened the seminar. During the first session, Mr Frédéric Gras presented the most important standards regarding freedom of expression which can be drawn from the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. Mr Rade Veljanowski, Director of Radio Belgrade, presented the Serbian legal framework in the media field. He underlined the need for laws on access to public information and on advertising.

The second session was dedicated to self-regulation by the media and journalists’ responsibilities. Mr Ronan Brady presented the way some press councils are constituted and their functioning. He underlined that there is no generally accepted format for press councils. He stressed that, in order to function successfully, a press council should be established through an agreement between journalists and publishers and should have independent sources of funding. The Serbian experts introduced the code of ethics for journalists, explaining that it was being translated into minorities’ languages, and the code of ethics for the electronic media. The need for training of journalists was pointed out.

During the third session, the European standards on access to information were presented and the draft law on public information was discussed. Among the questions raised were the appointment of the Ombudsman/commissioner, the fees that have to be paid to obtain information and the time limits for replies to requests for information. 

In conclusion, the participants stated that, after the adoption of the law on access to information, awareness campaigns for the public and training for public servants should be organised in order to ensure the efficient implementation of the new law. 

Public relations and media relations officers of different ministries, members of executive boards of municipal assemblies, lawyers 

Mr Frédéric Gras, lawyer, France
Mr Ronan Brady, freelance journalist, Ireland
Ms Helena Jäderblom, Head of Pardons Division, Ministry of Justice, Sweden
 

Ms Charlotte de Broutelles, Media Division