Djurovic takes part in PACE debate on media freedom

BELGRADE - Head of the standing delegation of the Serbian National Assembly in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Aleksandra Djurovic stated on Friday that the issue of freedom of expression and protection of freedom of the media is not just one of the main obligations of any Council of Europe member country and also constitutes the foundation for any good democratic regime.

According to a release issued by the Serbian parliament, Djurovic took part in the plenary debate on the protection of media freedom in Europe during which the officials discussed the report filed by rapporteur Gvozden Srecko Flego from Croatia.

According to the release, the report commends the constitution of the working group in charge of examining the facts concerning the investigation into the murders of journalists in Serbia and the determination and efforts by Serbia to solve the cases.

Djurovic also pointed to the progress made in the cases of murders of journalists Slavko Curuvija in 1999 and Milan Pantic in 2001, noting that the safety of reports and freedom of expression would be among top priorities.

Also, MPs of the Council of Europe have been informed about the set of media laws adopted last summer and the provisions concerning the withdrawal of the government from ownership in the media, as well as the improvement of transparency of media ownership structure.

After an intense debate, MPs adopted the resolution and recommendations.