BELGRADE, Serbia, July 28 (UPI) -- Serbian President Boris Tadic says he refused to approve a government law because it suppresses the freedom of media and democracy.
"Today, media freedom is essential for democracy of any society. The defense of media freedom is my duty as the head of state, because in that way I defend the constitutional rights of citizens to free expression and information," Tadic told Belgrade's Blic newspaper Friday.
A new law on Serbia's radio and television networks allows the government to control the media, Tadic said. Journalists and media experts agreed and numerous Serbian non-governmental organizations and the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe have criticized the law.
Serbia, which hopes to join the European Union, must pass laws that are in harmony with European standards. The radio-television agency has to be independent of the government and be responsible to Serbia's parliament, Tadic said.
By refusing to sign the law, Tadic has virtually offered extra time to lawmakers to work out on amendments to improve it.
