11. 02. 2015

CITY OF NIS SHOULD HARMONIZE ITS REGULATION WITH THE LAW ON PUBLIC INFORMATION AND MEDIA

Belgrade, 11.2.2015. -The coalition of journalists' and media associations (NUNS, UNS, NDNV, Local Press and ANEM) calls on the city authorities of Nis to promptly put out of force the Decision on Public Information of Importance for the City of Nis (of 13 March 2013) in order to create conditions for the consistent implementation of the Law on Public Information and Media.

The coalition of journalists' and media associations commends the decision of the Nis authorities to increase the budget line "Public Information" for 2015 from 20 to 70 million dinars.

However, for the proper allocation of these funds it is necessary to harmonize local regulation with the Law on Public Information and Media and corresponding bylaws.

This would also ensure the implementation of the agreement between the Mayor of Nis and the representatives of the Media Coalition and the OSCE Mission, reached at a meeting in August 2014.

The Decision on Public Information of the city of Nis is contrary to the Law on Public Information and Media, which law envisages project-based financing of media content in the public interest.

Along with stating as the aim informing of citizens on the activities of the city authorities, the contentious Decision envisages allocation of funds to the media in a competition governed by the law regulating the public procurement procedure.

NUNS, UNS, NDNV, Local Press and ANEM