Implementation of Transitional Laws in Serbia 2006

Implementation of Transitional Laws in Serbia 2006proceedings before the court of honor to condemn all journalistswho use hate-speech.• Non-governmental organizations should more often reach for thelegal mechanisms provided by the Law on Public Information, andinitiate legal proceedings against all those who use hate-speech,in order to include the judicial bodies in the struggle against thisphenomenon and create adequate court practice which will prohibithate-speech and ban it from the media.• The Courts in Serbia are obliged to judge according to law andinternational documents. That excludes the possibility that theirruling could be based on their political and ideological attitudes.Law on BroadcastingThe Law on Broadcasting was adopted in July 2002. 491 The law regulatesthe broadcasting area, i.e. the conditions for program broadcasting,the establishment of the Broadcasting Agency, the founding of publicbroadcasting services and other related issues. Among the principlesof regulating the broadcasting area, the law prohibits discriminationand stipulates full respect of civic rights and freedoms. 492 According tothe law, the Agency’s Council conducts a tender for the allocation offrequencies to electronic media, 493 controls the work of these media, 494and is responsible to punish and withdraw the licenses. 495Youth Initiative for Human Rights monitored the implementation of theLaw on broadcasting, which is perceived as extremely important, particularlynow, when the tender for the allocation of broadcasting frequencies andthe appointment of the members of the Stirring Committee of the Radio-Television of Serbia (RTS) are in full sway. Furthermore, at the end of 2005the first Agency Council’s formal decision was brought, induced by hatespeechcomplaint in electronic media.491 Law on Broadcasting, see above under 2492 Ibid, Article 3493 Ibid, Article 11494 Ibid, Article 13495 Ibid, Article 17103