Media Study - Medija centar Beograd

3.3 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REGULATORY BODIES – RBA, RATEL, PRESS COUNCIL
3.3.1 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INCREASED RATEL/RBA COOPERATION
Background
The need to prepare the implementation ahead of the digitalization calls for very efficient cooperation between
RBA and RATEL. It is, however, not possible to point to a clear ‘European best practice’ model to support the
establishment of a consolidated regulatory agency, though the majority of agencies do not have unified functions
as those in RATEL and RBA. It might be desirable to merge the two agencies, but with the digital switch very close in
the horizon a merge would risk causing serious delays and may not be advisable.
Recommendation
It is recommended that RATEL and RBA increase their cooperation before, during and after the digital switch:
The Ministry of Culture invites the administrative heads of RATEL and RBA to outline decisions and tasks to be
carried out to implement Strategy and Action Plan for the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting of
radio and television programs in the Republic of Serbia. 84
An administrative working group of the RATEL, RBA, the ministries of Culture and Telecommunications and
Information Society establish a digital forum for relevant thematic discussions and decisions for civil servants
involved in the process. The newly established company for technical transmission should take part.
SWOT Recommendation 1
Strength Coordinated efforts crucial to digital switch by 2012
Weakness Merge might be better solution but may distract from the main goal of
implementation of digitalization in 2012
Opportunity Increased cooperation before digital switch will continue after
Threat Political and personal ambitions
84 Website of the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information
Societyhttp://www.mtid.gov.rs/digitalizacija/digitalizacija/proces_donosenja_strategije_za_prelazak_sa_analognog_na_digitalno_emitovanje_r
adio_i_televizijskog_programa_u_republici_srbiji.587.html - read 26.4.2010
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