Analyst: Serbia’s media regulator was flawed from the start

Political scientist Jovanka Matic asserts that the recent developments surrounding the formation of Serbia's Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) mirror patterns observed over two decades ago. Matic commented on disputes concerning the REM Council's composition and a new interpretation of Serbia's Law on Electronic Media.

She suggested that authorities are accelerating the process to unblock reforms crucial for opening Cluster 3 in EU accession talks and accessing funds from the EU Growth Plan. Matic also linked the process to upcoming elections, arguing that the government aims to restore its "shaken credibility."

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form is more important than reform.

Several members of the REM Council who resigned in December are reportedly considering whether to return to their posts. Matic characterized the situation as an old model where "form is more important than reform." She stated, "REM was stillborn from the beginning. External pressure, legal manoeuvres, direct violations of the law - all of this is repeating itself 20 years later."

Furthermore, Matic criticized Serbia's system for public co-financing of media projects, describing it as "turned upside down." Instead of supporting local media and underrepresented voices, she contended that public funds are being directed to outlets that already possess strong commercial opportunities and are politically advantageous to the current authorities.

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REM was stillborn from the beginning. External pressure, legal manoeuvres, direct violations of the law - all of this is repeating itself 20 years later.