Regular Assembly of NUNS held, amendments to the Code adopted

(Source: Fonet/NUNS) The regular Assembly of NUNS (Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia) was held, adopting amendments and additions to the “Code of Journalists of Serbia.” Reports on NUNS’s activities and a Shadow Report on the rule of law and media freedom in Serbia were presented. Honorary membership cards were awarded to Prosecutor Predrag Milovanović, police whistleblower Katarina Petrović, and retired judge Vida Petrović Škero.

After adopting the agenda and presenting NUNS’s organizational reports, Professor Snježana Milivojević explained the amendments to the Code, noting changes in the media environment and feedback from the Press Council indicating that certain provisions lacked focus, hindering decision-making.

Milivojević emphasized that the revised “Code of Journalists of Serbia” is now shorter, simpler, and more precisely defined. Changes were made due to dramatic shifts in media, including technological advancements like artificial intelligence, and broader societal changes. A new chapter on respecting personal dignity was added, addressing sensitive groups and gender-sensitive language, reflecting higher human rights standards.

Regarding accountability, Milivojević highlighted that journalists are accountable to the public, not just their audience, and stressed editorial responsibility for all content published in the media. Guidelines were set for disclosing content created using artificial intelligence and using social media content, emphasizing public interest over privacy rights in some cases.

The Assembly also presented NUNS’s Shadow Report on the rule of law and media freedom in Serbia, concluding that the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM) fails to uphold media laws and lacks independence from the government. Pro-government bias in the media persists, with state-owned enterprises legalizing media ownership. There’s excessive reliance on government advertising without adequate oversight, and an increase in violence against journalists with inadequate protection and justice.

Recommendations to Serbian authorities include implementing the 2020 Media Strategy credibly, aligning national laws with European standards, ensuring transparent civil society, media, and journalist participation in law amendments, and providing timely updates on law application.

President Željko Bodrožić reviewed NUNS’s past six months, emphasizing their monitoring of events affecting members and their responsiveness to media policies. Plans include training for media professionals, AI policy implementation, membership database updates, and online voting to avoid quorum issues.

Honorary NUNS membership was conferred upon police major Katarina Petrović, retired judge Vida Petrović Škero, and prosecutor Predrag Milovanović.