• 2025-01-20

The Credibility of the Process for Selecting the New REM Council Has Been Seriously Undermined

National Convention on the European Union in Serbia (NCEU)

The National Convention on the European Union in Serbia (NCEU) warns the national and international public, particularly relevant European Union institutions, that the Committee on Culture and Information of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia is actively undermining the credibility of the process for selecting the new members of the Council of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM).

Considering that the REM Council is currently non-functional due to the Committee’s unlawful delay in initiating elections for new members, the NCEU emphasizes that appointing an independent and professional REM Council is a key obligation under Chapter 23 of Serbia’s EU accession process. This obligation was further affirmed through its inclusion in the Reform Agenda adopted by the Government of Serbia, a prerequisite for accessing €1.6 billion in funding under the Western Balkans Growth Plan. The obligation was also reiterated in the informal document (non-paper) sent to EU Member States during negotiations on the opening of Cluster 3.

Furthermore, ensuring REM’s independence is among the primary recommendations outlined in the ODIHR report and is part of the process coordinated by the National Assembly to guarantee free and fair elections. REM plays a crucial role in safeguarding media freedoms and professional standards, and the legality of its members’ elections is a foundational step toward fulfilling this role. The election process for the new Council, delayed for several months, is unfolding amidst a deep political and social crisis in Serbia. Consequently, the National Assembly must uphold its integrity and the legislative process. Accelerated decision-making procedures and irregularities in electing the members of such a vital institution threaten to undermine public trust and institutional credibility.

The NCEU is particularly alarmed by numerous irregularities identified thus far, including the failure of certain candidates and their proposers to meet the legal selection criteria, as documented in a report by Civic Initiatives, the coordinator of the Intersectoral Working Group on Freedom of Expression and Media.

If, in the final stages of the process, Members of Parliament elect any of the 17 candidates who fail to meet the prescribed criteria, the independence and integrity of the new REM Council will be compromised. The NCEU, as the largest network of civil society organizations monitoring Serbia’s EU accession process, has consistently warned against the lack of inclusiveness in legislative activities, often justified under the pretext of meeting European Commission deadlines and accelerating European integration. Should the election of the new REM Council proceed in this manner, it will result in an illegitimate outcome. It cannot serve as a valid indicator of Serbia’s progress in meeting its obligations-whether regarding Chapter 23, the implementation of the Reform Agenda, or the ODIHR recommendations. The NCEU will continue to monitor the selection process of the new REM Council closely and will keep both the public and relevant national and international stakeholders informed.

Source: NCEU