**REM Spokeswoman Hits Back at Student Protests**
Olivera Zekić, the spokeswoman of Serbia’s Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM), has fired back at student protesters who are demanding a new call to apply for posts in the REM Council. In an interview with FoNet on Thursday, Zekić made it clear that students don’t have the power to elect members of the REM Council and appeared to mock their understanding of the body’s role.
As a former chairwoman of the REM Council and a critic of student protests, Zekić is seen as a supporter of the authorities. The REM is supposed to be an independent body, but many critics argue that it has been used as a tool by the government to silence opposition voices in the media.
When asked about the students’ demand for a new call to apply for posts in the REM Council, Zekić said that neither she nor the REM were the right address for that demand. Instead, she pointed out that the Serbian parliament is responsible for appointing members of the REM Council and that they can choose from other applicants who have already submitted their bids.
Zekić also appeared to mock the students’ understanding of the REM’s role, saying that 99% of them think it’s a rock group. This comment sparked outrage among student protesters, who see the REM as an important institution for regulating the media and holding those in power accountable.
The students’ demand for a new call to apply for posts in the REM Council was seen as a response to the withdrawal of seven candidates from the competition. However, Zekić’s comments suggest that the parliament may choose to annul this competition or call a new one.
**Deeper Analysis**
Zekić’s comments are not just a personal attack on student protesters but also reflect a deeper attempt by the authorities to undermine the legitimacy of their demands. By downplaying the importance of the REM Council and implying that students don’t understand its role, Zekić is trying to shift attention away from the real issues at hand.
The REM’s independence has been questioned in recent years, with many critics arguing that it has been used as a tool by the government to silence opposition voices in the media. The current competition for posts in the REM Council has been seen as an attempt to stack the deck with allies and loyalists of the authorities.
The student protests are not just about the REM Council but also reflect a broader frustration among young people with the country’s politics and lack of transparency. By mocking their understanding of the REM, Zekić is trying to dismiss their demands and undermine their legitimacy as citizens who care about the country’s future.
**What’s Next?**
The situation remains tense, with student protesters continuing to demand a new call to apply for posts in the REM Council. The Serbian parliament will have to decide whether to annul this competition or call a new one. Meanwhile, Zekić’s comments are likely to fuel further outrage among student protesters and their supporters.
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