Serbian government proposes ban on pre-election reporting on official events

NEWS 02.12.202118:13
Beta/Vlada Srbije/Slobodan Miljević

The Serbian government on Thursday adopted changes to draft law on electronic media which includes a ban on reporting from public gatherings attended by officials 10 days prior to elections.

Serbian state officials have used public events such as the launch of infrastructure and other projects as veiled parts of election campaigns.

“In order to improve election conditions, a ban is imposed 10 days before the scheduled vote for media to report on official public events … with the participation of public officials who are candidates for president, MP and local council members,” a government press release said.

Under the draft law electronic media have to publish the fees for political advertising which are equal for all candidates, it added.