24.3.2026.
The Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation and the Coalition for Media Freedom have published two analyses examining the alignment of Serbia’s legal and institutional framework with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), as well as the possibilities for its implementation under current circumstances in the country.
According to announcements from the Serbian Ministry of Information and Telecommunications, the Ministry plans to soon begin work on amendments to the Law on Public Information and Media and the Law on Electronic Media, aimed at aligning them with EMFA. The members of the Coalition believe that this initiative is premature, given that the process is still in its early stages within the EU itself, that there are numerous unresolved questions regarding the application of EMFA at the EU level, and that Serbia has yet to meet even the basic preconditions for the substantive implementation of European standards in the field of media freedom.
EMFA represents a significant step forward in strengthening and protecting media freedom. However, this strengthening requires functional and institutional capacities for its implementation. Serbia’s key media laws are already partially aligned with EMFA. Nevertheless, although there is formal alignment with European standards in certain areas, the main issue lies in their inconsistent and selective implementation in practice. This is particularly evident in the protection of journalistic sources, the independence of public service media, ownership transparency, and the functioning of regulatory bodies. Without genuine enforcement of existing norms, further legislative amendments in Serbia cannot lead to meaningful progress.
Media freedom in Serbia remains at a worrying level, marked by continuous political pressure and campaigns targeting journalists, non-transparent media financing, and a weak institutional response to violations of the laws.
The key preconditions for implementing EMFA in Serbia are not new legislative amendments, but rather ensuring the independence of media regulation, consistent protection of journalists and their sources, and genuine restraint by the state from political and economic influence over the media.
The analyses also point to the need for a broader, cross-sectoral approach, given that certain EMFA provisions go beyond media legislation and require changes in other areas, including the regulation of state advertising, surveillance of communications, and competition policy.
The conclusion of both analyses is that without clear political will, institutional independence, and full implementation of existing laws, the process of alignment with EMFA will remain formal and without real impact on improving media freedom in Serbia.
Access publications here:
Implementation of the EFMA through Amendments to Media Laws
Coalition for Media Freedom: Media Association, Online Media Association (AOM), Independent Journalists’ Association of Vojvodina (NDNV), Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS), Business Association of Local and Independent Media “Local Press,” Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation, and the Branch Trade Union of Culture, Arts, and Media “Independence.”
