The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) calls on the president of the municipality of Despotovac, Zlatko Marjanović, to withdraw the Decision to suspend the Call for co-financing media content production projects, as it is not in accordance with the Law on Public Information and Media and the Rulebook on Co-financing Projects Aimed at Achieving the Public Interest in the Field of Public Information.
The president of the municipality issued a decision suspending the public call for co-financing media projects, stating that “the submitted projects do not fulfill or insufficiently fulfill the interests of citizens,” justifying the move by claiming that “the majority of the municipality’s population is elderly and less likely to use internet portals,” and that “the projects do not specifically address topics and events of importance and particular interest to citizens.”
Article 26 of the Law on Public Information and Media clearly stipulates that the decision on the allocation of funds must be made solely based on a reasoned proposal by the expert commission. The law further mandates that if a public authority believes the commission’s proposal does not comply with the regulations or criteria, it must inform the commission in writing — which did not happen in this case. The president neither communicated in writing with the commission nor pointed out any deficiencies, thus depriving the commission of the opportunity to respond. Instead, he issued a decision suspending the entire process.
What is particularly concerning is that Marjanović, in his decision, openly discriminated against certain types of media, suggesting that internet portals should not be supported, or should be supported to a lesser extent. This constitutes an impermissible practice under Article 18 of the Law.
In addition, according to Article 28 of the Law on Public Information and Media, public authorities are required to conduct an analysis of necessary media content at least once every three years, based on the definition of public interest in the field of public information. The findings of this analysis must be included as part of the documentation for public calls. This report is to be based on public consultations, expert analyses, and available reports. During the drafting process, suggestions from experts and the wider public are collected to define thematic areas, genre diversity, and target groups for future funding.
Since the public call did not include such an analysis, Marjanović, without any previously established needs for media content and without valid justification or legal grounds, unilaterally made the decision to suspend the call.
IJAS urges the president of the municipality of Despotovac to immediately withdraw this unlawful decision, respect the role and authority of the expert commission, and allow the legal implementation of the public call process — free from political influence and discrimination. We also call on the competent institutions to investigate the conduct of the municipal president and take appropriate measures to protect the public interest and media freedoms.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Belgrade, June 2, 2025
