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Provide Continuity for Media Reporting in Minority Languages

DSCF2070Aniko Muskinja Heinrich, the Provincial Protector of Citizens – Ombudsman and the National Minority rights Protection Deputy Ombudsman Eva Vukasinovic discussed the recently adopted set of media laws with Zoltan Varga-Haszonits, the Advisor of the Hungarian Embassy in Serbia.

Mr. Varga-Haszonits was primarily interested in the position of the Protector of Citizens – Ombudsman institution concerning the position of the media reporting in minority languages and the possibility of quality exercise of the right to information in these languages. Another topic was also the future involvement of the institution in drafting the EU Accession Chapter 23 Action Plan – Judiciary and Basic Rights.

Concerning the media laws, Aniko Muskinja Heinrich expressed her fear that the survival of the media reporting in minority languages will remain a question mark even once these laws are in force. Their funding will be project-based and market oriented and it is a common knowledge that state, provincial and local self-government funding has been very limited for years back. During the contracting process, it is crucial to pay attention to the new private owners obligation to provide for continuity of media contents production since the new law provides no sanctions whatsoever in case the future owner fails to do it.

As far as the Chapter 23 is concerned, the President of the Negotiation Group has invited the Provincial Protector of Citizens – Ombudsman to collaborate with the Group concerning the recommendation tackling the obligation of the state to build capacities of the independent bodies. The Provincial Protector of Citizens – Ombudsman being one of them, it will send its recommendations concerning the necessary measures and activities in this respect.

Additionally and on its own initiative, the Provincial Protector of Citizens – Ombudsman will also give recommendations concerning obligations referring to the national minorities’ position.