Free University: Rector Mandic Abusing University in Process of Choosing REM Council

Photo: Beta/Dragan Gojic

The Free University academic network accused on May 29 Novi Sad University Rector Dejan Mandic of "abusing the university" in the process of selecting the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media's (REM) Council.

According to the media the universities in Novi Sad and Pristina, the University of Defense, the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies as well as the MB University have nominated journalist and editor of the Politika newspaper from Belgrade Bojan Bilbija and Nis PROUNS pro-government NGO journalist Milan Petkovic for the Council.

"We believe that these nominations are unacceptable and deeply compromise the REM's integrity, but also the reputation of the Novi Sad University. Petkovic comes from an organization that is used to achieve political influence under the veil of professional organizing. Bilbija, on the other hand, has violated the journalistic code of ethics multiple times by spreading disinformation, hate speech and participating in politically motivated campaigns in the pro-government media," the Free University said in a statement.

"Even more alarming than the nominations themselves is the illegitimate procedure for their nomination, as the proposal was obviously made without any insight or participation by the academic community of the Novi Sad University. Not one member of the University was consulted nor were a University Council or Senate session called," the Free University said adding that that was more proof of the "privatization" of the Novi Sad University by Rector Dejan Mandic who "is still presenting himself as rector, even though all 17 members of the University voted no confidence in him."