Think-Tank NGO BIRODI Urges Electronic Media Watchdog To Regulate Media Coverage of Vucic in the Ongoing Election Campaign

Aleksandar Vucic (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV)

The Bureau for Social Research (BIRODI) on Nov. 9 called on the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) to regulate media coverage of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in the ongoing election campaign, citing the example of his Nov. 8 TV appearance, during which Vucic predominantly focused on the upcoming elections although he was speaking in the capacity of Serbian president.

In a release, BIRODI said that in accordance with the recently passed Law on Electronic Media, REM should adopt a rulebook or guidelines to regulate the matter. “The said rulebook or recommendation should regulate media appearance of Aleksandar Vucic when he speaks in the capacity of Serbian president and when he speaks as a member of the Serbian Progressive Party as his name is contained in the title of the Progressives party ticket,” BIRODI specified in the statement.

BIRODI also said that without drawing a clear line between these two types of media coverage of Vucic, citizens would be exposed to media manipulation, that is, they could be convinced that Vucic was running in the upcoming elections, “because it is evident that Vucic, while acting in the capacity of Serbian president, is campaigning for his party.”

BIRODI recalled that TV Prva had advertised an interview with the Serbian president, while during the talk Vucic was speaking and presenting his political views on behalf of the Progressives.