In the process of drafting
the law on audio-visual media services, the Ministry of Culture, with the
support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, the Council of Europe and the European
Union (EU) in Montenegro organized a round table on the draft law in
Podgorica. Participants in were representatives of media and
non-governmental organizations dealing with the media.
It was concluded that Montenegro, as a candidate country for membership in the
EU must harmonize its legislation with the EU directive on audiovisual media
services. This process must be inclusive, coordinated and transparent.
The Minister of Culture Aleksandar Bogdanovic recalled that it was initiated
the revision of media legislation in 2008 in order to define the highest
international standards and with expert support from the most reputable
international addresses for this area – the European Commission, Council of
Europe and OSCE, accompanied by a broad social dialogue between all
stakeholders.
Bogdanovic said that the predicted position of different providers of radio and
TV programs to end users in relation to the providers of audiovisual media
services on demand, as current law equated.
Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Montenegro Herman Spitz said that
Montenegro, as a candidate country, has to align its legislation with the EU
directive on audio-visual media services, and that the process must be
inclusive, coordinated and transparent.
“EU, together with our partners, the Council of Europe and the OSCE, we provide
professional support and help Montenegro in drafting the law on audio-visual
media services. Three new laws that prepares Montenegro, as well as the
ongoing call for a new Council of the Agency for Electronic Media, represent a
very good opportunity for promotion of Montenegro in the field of
media. This is something that citizens expect and what the EU will
continue to monitor very carefully, “said Spitz.
Head of the OSCE Mission in Montenegro Mariz Davis’ said that he expected all,
during the public hearing, to make constructive proposals, given that the law
in question is a key and very important act for Montenegro. She recalled
that this year already held two round tables on the media: one in February on
the draft Law on the media and others in March on the Draft Law on RTCG.
“Both round tables give the public the opportunity to discuss the proposed amendments and to hear the analysis of a large number of international experts in media legislation. We hope to provide you with the same opportunity, and this, the third round table, “said Davis’.
According to the coordinator of the expertise of the Council of Europe Lejla Dervišagić, analyzes the key recommendations of the media sector in 2017 were the basis for the legal reform of the media.
“These reforms will be implemented in the second phase of a joint project of the Council of Europe and the EU – JUFREX ‘Freedom of expression and press freedom in Southeast Europe over the next three years, “said Dervišagić.