Serbia’s oldest private news agency, FoNet marks 25th birthday

NEWS 08.02.201911:03
FoNet/Ognjen Stevanović

The Belgrade-based FoNet news agency marked its 25th anniversary with its CEO saying that it will continue operating to meet the interests of the public, not the interests of political and financial power centres.

Director and Editor in Chief of the privately-owned agency, Zoran Sekulic told the anniversary celebration that FoNet had been formed in the 1990s because a group of journalists wanted to save face. The hope we had after the year 2000 quickly turned into an illusion and the illusion turned into a hard situation for journalism and the media, he said, adding that despite hardships the agency is not abandoning its independent, professional and responsible editorial policy.  

He warned of inequality in terms of working conditions, political and financial limitations, old and new monopolies and failure to abide by ethical and professional standards and respect copyright conditions.

“We believe that the authorities have an obligation to show the political will to improve the media scene immediately and prevent new media regulations from countering reforms.

The 25th anniversary celebration was attended by journalists from other media, public figures, several ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps.