On July 24, the European Commission published its annual Rule of Law reports through which it monitors rule of law developments across the European space and provides recommendations calling on competent national authorities to promptly address and solve potential risks. One of the four sections that compose the reports is dedicated to media freedom and pluralism and addresses a set of media-related issues ranging from the legislative framework, and public service media, to journalists’ safety and the functioning of the media market. 

This year, for the first time, the European Commission involved some candidate countries in its rule of law mechanism: the Rule of Law Reports for candidates such as Serbia will thus complement and inform the traditional Progress Reports that the European Commission usually publishes towards the end of each year. 

Intending to contribute to the EU Commission Rule of Law monitoring exercise, IJAS and OBCT have prepared a Shadow Report that provides an updated and comprehensive analysis of the Serbian media landscape, pointing out not only positive steps forward but above all remaining and emerging challenges that need to be addressed. The report also includes a set of recommendations addressed both to national authorities and relevant civic associations, urging them to take action and strengthen their commitment to the protection of media freedom in line with European and international standards. 

By: Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT), Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS)

The report is available in English and Serbian.