N 1 Investigation 01122014 Bojana Barlovac Regional conference

N 1 Investigation 01/12/2014 Bojana Barlovac

Regional conference on anti-corruption in the media systems ¢ Investigation into the changes to the Serbian legislation that opened doors for N 1 regional TV. ¢ Main goal: To find out why distributors (operators) are allowed to be content providers. ¢ Reason: The exception was made for cable operators only, not for print media and public service broadcasters. ¢ Potential consequences: Abuse of position. (existing examples with Sport klub/Arena sport and B 92 Info on SBB)

Regional conference on anti-corruption in the media systems ¢ Many drafts, working groups and changes. ¢ Article 109 of the Law on Electronic Media tailored for the state-owned Telekom Srbija. ¢ During the public debate in autumn - KKR bought United Group (SBB/Telemach/Total TV) and a new firm called Adria News was founded in Belgrade (N 1).

Regional conference on anti-corruption in the media systems ¢ KKR’s fight for the change on three main fronts: 1) David Petraeus, former director of the CIA, and Chairman of the Global Institute of the KKR visits to Belgrade. 2) Public debates (SBB and Brent Sadler) 3) Lobbying at the DG Enlargement Unit (Gide Loyrette Nouvel and EBRD)

Regional conference on anti-corruption in the media systems ¢ August 2, 2014 - Serbian parliament adopts media legislation changed according to Brussels’ comments (Article 46 of the Public information act revised in order to allow content distributors to produce content, albeit through an affiliated legal entity) ¢ This came as surprise, given that the Commission had applied different standards for the Serbian public service broadcaster, RTS, then for Croatia and Slovenia media laws. ¢ The answer from the Commission: No EU legal provision in the broadcasting sector imposes a mandatory separation between content producers and distributors.

Regional conference on anti-corruption in the media systems ¢ This shows us two things: 1) Non-transparent adoption of Serbia legislation that threaten to undermine media pluralism in the country. Moreover, no one at the Commission is held responsible. 2) Serbian government is not protecting its national interests but rather pleasing Brussels. ¢ This may be applied to other laws, as well.

Thank you for your attention.