Broadcast law

Ljubljana – A blackout period set in on Saturday prior to the general election on Sunday. All political propaganda designed to convince voters to back any party or candidate is banned until polls close at 7pm on Sunday.

The owners of the four new TV licences met separately with Minister of State Nikos Pappas, Monday afternoon and discussed matters pertaining to the next stages in the ratification of the new licences and the operation of the media landscape.

Serbia has confirmed the imposition of a new monthly licence fee for broadcasters of 150 dinars [?1.2], together with continued state financing to keep the national broadcasters, RTS and RTV, solvent.

The plan has drawn criticism from media experts, however, who said the independence of the broadcasters can only be ensured if they are financed solely from taxes paid by citizens.

TV channels will be asked to pay a combined total of more than 40 million euros in outstanding tax, the government said on Thursday.

BELGRADE - The Serbian parliament adopted by a majority vote on Monday the amendments to the Law on planning and Construction which make it possible to obtain all necessary permits at a single counter in 28 days and building permits in five days.

Prior to the adoption of the amendments, it took 240 days to obtain all the documents.

BELGRADE - Draft amendments to the law on planning and construction, which would shorten timeframes for issuing building permits, will be up for public debate soon, and are expected to be passed in August, Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Zorana Mihajlovic said on Thursday.