**Serbian Public Broadcaster Employees Demand Change**
More than 23,000 people have signed a petition submitted to the Serbian Parliament on Monday morning. The petition is a result of an initiative called “Our pRoTeSt” by employees of Serbia’s public broadcaster RTS. They are calling for a new procedure to elect members of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) Council.
**A Plea for Free Journalism**
Marija Miladinovic Lisov, a journalist with RTS news program, spoke out about why this petition is so important. She says that their institution is being held hostage by an anonymous editor who spreads hate speech during their news programs. “Comparing students to Nazis or describing the area around the RTS building as a ghetto” are examples of hate speech she finds unacceptable.
Lisov believes that this behavior is not just her opinion, but also the position of major journalist associations. She emphasizes that a free public media service is crucial for all voices to be heard, and that without it, society cannot progress.
**A Call for Change**
The petition was submitted ahead of a scheduled meeting on April 28 of the parliamentary Committee for Culture and Information. Miladinovic Lisov hopes that this meeting will result in a new call for REM Council candidates. She believes that such a move would be beneficial to both the public and the authorities.
RTS employees are not just fighting for their own institution; they are also representing all citizens of Serbia. As Miladinovic Lisov puts it, “We ultimately answer to all the citizens of Serbia, and only to them.”
**A Message to the Authorities**
The petition is a clear message to the authorities that it’s time to take action. Miladinovic Lisov’s words echo this sentiment: “It’s time to stop turning a blind eye to what everyone can see.” The people have spoken, and now it’s up to the authorities to respond.
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