**Pro-Regime TV Returns Regional Broadcast License**
The pro-regime Informer TV has decided to return its terrestrial license to the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM). This means that they will no longer broadcast on an open frequency, but instead continue to be available through cable broadcasting.
According to the Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS), the REM informed them that Informer TV would no longer have access to open frequencies. UNS also tried to contact Dragan J Vucicevic, the owner and editor-in-chief of Informer TV, but did not receive a response. It’s worth noting that cable TV permits are significantly cheaper than those for open frequency broadcasting.
The decision by REM to revoke the regional broadcast permit will be made once a new council is formed. This means that Informer TV will no longer have to pay fees to the regulatory body. Informer was granted a regional permit in November 2024, just three days before the REM Council’s term expired. Many media outlets reported at the time that this decision was against the law on electronic media.
**The Shift to Cable Broadcasting**
Informer TV is now available across the country due to the sale of the SBB cable services provider in April. This has allowed pro-regime cable stations, including Informer, to be broadcast on both SBB and Telekom Serbia – a state-owned company. On the other hand, independent stations such as N1 and Nova S are not currently available on these networks.
This development raises questions about the impact of this shift on media diversity and access to information in Serbia. The fact that pro-regime stations have secured better broadcasting opportunities while independent outlets struggle to reach a wider audience is a cause for concern among journalists and observers.
**The Role of REM**
The Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM) has been at the center of controversy surrounding Informer TV’s broadcasting permit. Critics argue that REM’s decision to grant the regional permit in 2024 was against the law on electronic media, and now their failure to revoke it is seen as a compromise.
As the new REM Council takes office, they will have to address these concerns and ensure that media outlets are held accountable for their actions. The public needs to be informed about the decisions made by regulatory bodies like REM, and how they impact the media landscape in Serbia.
Read More @ n1info.rs
