**Student Protesters Demand Transparency in REM Council Election Process**
A group of student protesters from Belgrade’s higher education institutions gathered outside the Serbian Parliament’s Culture and Information Committee, calling for transparency in the election process for members of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) Council.
According to Article 14 of the Law on Electronic Media, the public call for nominations for REM Council members should be launched no earlier than six months and no later than three months before the term of Council members expires. The previous REM Council’s term ended on November 4, 2024, but the election process was marred by legal and procedural violations, resulting in seven candidates’ withdrawal of candidacies.
The students claimed that the Culture and Information Committee published a list of 18 candidates and conducted public interviews with them, fulfilling the requirement for the election process. However, the election of Council members was not on the agenda of the March 4 Serbian Parliament session.
The protesters emphasized that Article 10 of the Law on Electronic Media stipulates that REM Council members must be respected in the public sphere and have advocated for freedom of expression, human rights, and democracy.
“We request that you, the Culture and Information Committee, repeat the election process for members of the Regulatory Authority Council by annulling the previous public call and launching a new one,” said the students. “Our protest outside the RTS headquarters will continue until you announce the public call for the election of REM Council members.”
This is not the first time that student protesters have blocked public broadcaster buildings in Belgrade and Novi Sad, as reported by N1info.rs earlier this year.
**Commentary**
The demand for transparency in the election process for REM Council members reflects a broader concern among civil society groups about the role of independent media regulation in Serbia. The Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media has been criticized for its lack of independence and effectiveness in protecting press freedom and promoting media pluralism.
The students’ protest outside the RTS headquarters is part of a larger movement demanding accountability from the Culture and Information Committee and the Serbian Parliament to ensure that the election process is conducted fairly and transparently.
**Analysis**
The REM Council’s election process has been plagued by controversy, with critics arguing that it lacks transparency and fairness. The student protesters’ demands for a new public call and a more inclusive election process reflect a broader concern among civil society groups about the need for more effective media regulation in Serbia.
As the Culture and Information Committee deliberates on how to proceed with the election process, it will be crucial to ensure that any decisions made are transparent, fair, and responsive to the concerns of civil society. The protesters’ determination to continue their demonstration until a new public call is issued reflects the importance of ensuring that the interests of all stakeholders are taken into account.
Read More @ n1info.rs