Media Study - Medija centar Beograd

3.3.3 RECOMMENDATION FOR AN EFFICIENT SELF-REGULATORY PRESS COUNCIL
Background
Following several unsuccessful attempts the Serbian Press Council has finally been established with the help of the
Ministry of Culture, the Norwegian Press Council, and other donors. There is a tradition for animosity among the
founding members of the council, and the preparation before the council starts working still seems slow.
Funding has to be identified, management appointed and staff employed. Yet there is a distinct need for
professional self-regulation in the Serbian media sector, and external encouragement to start this process is
significant.
The experience from the chosen EU Member States shows that in some cases self-regulatory bodies succeed
without any state involvement. In other cases they don’t.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the establishment and work of the Press Council supported by media and non-state actors
remains self-regulatory but, if it does not succeed it should be considered in a new attempt to set it up by law.
The Press Council establishes itself with president, management, description of jobs and procedures
The independent and self-regulatory Press Council is given political backing from the Government and the
Parliament
After 1-2 years the Press Council is evaluated by an independent international body
If the Press Council turns out not to function after this period a pragmatic solutions will be investigated.
SWOT Recommmendation 3
Strength The self regulatory principle is respected
Weakness It may take considerable time before the Press Council operates efficiently
Opportunity The Press Council should be given full political support
Threat The Press Council might end as a lame duck without credibility because of internal
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