Vukosavljevic: State ownership in news agency not forbidden in EU

BELGRADE - There is no European regulation banning state ownership in news agencies, and it is up to Serbia to see if it is in its interest to have a national news agency, Serbian Minister of Culture and Information Vladan Vukosavljevic said Monday.

Addressing the parliamentary committee on culture and information, he said a decision on the Tanjug News Agency would be made within a month, but refused to speculate on the matter.

"It is undeniable that the state is not funding Tanjug - it is not providing the funding for salaries or Tanjug's other liabilities," he said, adding that the situation was delicate considering "Tanjug's role and significance."

Under EU regulations and practices, Serbia cannot own a news agency, but it can have a 51 pct stake - or more - in one, Vukosavljevic said, adding that various models were under consideration.