The European Commission has been following the developments in Serbia with great attention and it is essential that journalists are able to perform their job free of any threat of violence, harassment and intimidation, it said in response to a letter from United Media, adding that the EC expects Serbia to create an enabling environment in which media freedom and freedom of expression can be exercised without hindrance.
Jiri Plecity, Head of the EC Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighborhood, responded on behalf of EC President Ursula von der Leyen to a letter United Media (UM) sent on March 12. The UM letter highlighted that the government-led disinformation and hate speech have resulted in an intensified campaign of threats, harassment, and direct physical attacks against UM journalists. The letter also noted that, despite clear video evidence, not a single perpetrator has been held accountable for the verbal and physical assaults on journalists, while state officials and pro-government media continue to single out, demonize, and endanger UM journalists, portraying them as enemies of the state.
In their response, the European Commission stated they had carefully read the letter.
“I would like to assure you that the European Commission has been following the developments in Serbia with great attention. Media freedom is one of the essential foundations of a democratic society and a fundamental right in the EU. It is therefore a crucial element of Serbia’s EU accession process. The European Commission expects Serbia to create an enabling environment in which media freedom and freedom of expression can be exercised without hindrance. For this, it is essential that journalists are able to perform their job free of any threat of violence, harassment and intimidation to ensure that citizens have access to all information, including about the ongoing political developments in Serbia,” the response states.
They added that, as Commissioner Marta Kos has stressed in her public statements, it is precisely Serbia’s path towards the European Union that offers solutions to many of the issues that are at the heart of the requests of the protesters in Serbia today.
“The reforms which we want to see during the accession process, if properly implemented, will strengthen the fight against corruption, ensure the independence of the judiciary, accountability of institutions and transparent public procurement, promote media freedom and pluralism and improve electoral conditions. They should also ensure an enabling environment for civil society and build resilience against disinformation and information manipulation. The Commission will continue to follow closely these issues in the context of EU accession negotiations with Serbia,” they emphasized in their response.
Source: N1
