Serbia's REM regulator initiates proceedings against multiple media outlets

The Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM) in Serbia has decided to launch investigation proceedings against several television stations, including Informer, Kurir, B92, and K1. The actions follow a dispute regarding the use of the term “blokader” during a broadcast, which raised questions about whether such language violates media laws.

REM Council members held a session to debate the legal implications of the term. While some members, such as Miloš Garić, argued for the establishment of clear standards to define legal boundaries, others expressed concern. Rodoljub Šabić warned that qualifying certain expressions as legal violations could be risky and might threaten freedom of expression.

Ana Brnabić, a member of the SNS Presidency, criticized the regulator's impartiality. She alleged that REM applies inconsistent criteria, noting that while Informer faces scrutiny for political statements, other outlets like N1 and Nova S received insufficient regulatory oversight despite what she described as critical reporting against the government and potential political campaigning during election periods.