edition-dw-akademie-in-the-service-of-the-public-functions-and-transformation-of-media-in-developing-countries-pdf

Status of Radio Television of Serbia (RTS)Characteristics Status Changes and progressover the past yearsChannels, distribution TV: Three nationwide channels: main channel RTS 1; RTS 2,focusing on educational and cultural programs, sportingevents and parliamentary sittings; and RTS Digital, whichbroadcasts mainly musical events. Further RTS SAT (satelliteservice) for the Serbian diaspora across the world.Radio: Four nationwide channels: main channel RadioBelgrade 1; cultural channel Radio Belgrade 2; Radio Belgrade3, which broadcasts artistic music, philosophy, social andpolitical sciences; Radio Belgrade 202 focusing on a youngeraudience (news, rock/pop music, social and political trends)Since 2012, RTS Digital isavailable nationwide.Status of the legislativeframeworkThe Broadcasting Law, adopted in 2002, regulates RTS. Thelaw is outdated and does not provide clear provisions for advertisingand the program diversity of the public broadcaster.Currently, a new law on Public Service Broadcasting has beendrafted; it was developed by local groups as well as EU andOSCE hired experts.Three new laws for theregulation of the Serbianmedia landscape are beingdrafted: the Law on PublicInformation, the Law onElectronic Media and theLaw on Public ServiceBroadcasting. It is expectedthat these laws will beadopted by late 2014.Public service remitThe Broadcasting Law stipulates that RTS’s programs shouldbe free from political and economic influences. RTS shouldprovide content for all parts of society, including childrenand minorities. Its programming should strengthen thecultural identity of the population and allocate the sameamount of time for all political parties ahead of elections(Article 78).The new Law on PublicService Broadcasting willalso include provisions fora clear public service remit.Regulatory system/governing bodyThe Republic Broadcasting Agency (RRA), which controlsand ensures the implementation of the law, is the regulatorybody of RTS. It appoints RTS’s board of directors. RTS’sgoverning body is the board of directors, consisting of ninepeople.Problem: Although there are specific criteria for RRA’s counciland RTS’s governing body (e.g., they have to be experts andmust not be politicians), the criteria are often not taken seriously,so that the members are no real experts.According to the researchconducted currently onlytwo members fulfill thecriteria, i.e., are real experts.174