Belgrade-based lawyer Božo Prelević has called for sweeping institutional reforms in Serbia following the parliamentary elections held on October 25, placing particular emphasis on the accountability of media outlets that, in his view, have served Aleksandar Vučić’s government for the past 14 years.
Prelević argued that any change in political leadership must be accompanied by a strategic plan to reform state institutions, including the media sector, police, and military.
According to him, the new authorities must first establish clear reform objectives, identify the people capable of implementing them, and set concrete deadlines for their execution.
“They must develop a strategic plan. On the one hand, they must strengthen the state so that they know exactly what they need and who is obstructing them. They must understand their objectives and identify the people capable of achieving them. They must also establish a timeline for implementing the reforms,” Prelević stated.
He stressed that the process requires capable individuals who can reform Serbia, a country he described as burdened by institutional problems.
One of the central issues Prelević raised was media accountability, particularly concerning private television networks and outlets that, according to him, have spread false information throughout Vučić’s rule.
“What needs to be done in the media sector? What will REM do? What should happen to private television stations? What should be done with those who have lied for 14 years? How can educational and cultural programming be restored? All these issues must be addressed,” he said.
Prelević also raised concerns about the influence of private media owners over editorial content, arguing that ownership and financial investment should not grant unlimited control over the information available to the public.
He questioned whether a new television owner should have the right to discontinue news broadcasts, creating what he described as an “information blackout.”
“Can a new owner shut down the news bulletin? Do they have the right to create an information blackout? I believe they do not. Could they do that in Portugal? Of course not. They should not be able to do it here either,” Prelević stated.
According to him, a clear distinction must be maintained between private capital and a media outlet’s editorial responsibilities toward the public.
“Capital is one thing; editorial decisions and programming are another,” the Serbian lawyer emphasised.
Beyond the media, Prelević called for reforms within the police, questioning whether officials who may have violated the law over the past 14 years should continue to benefit from privileged pensions and high salaries without their conduct in public office being examined.
“Who are those who violated the law? Let us examine whether they deserve to retire at the age of 50 with privileged pensions and the highest salaries in this country. Have they earned these benefits through their service over the past 14 years?” he asked.
He also called for scrutiny of the Serbian military, criticising what he described as its focus on arms trading.
“What does the military do, or what has it been doing? Apart from engaging in the buying and selling of weapons, what else has it done?” Prelević said.
In conclusion, Prelević stressed that reforms must go beyond replacing political leaders and extend across state institutions, with accountability and institutional performance examined in every sector.
In his view, only a systematic reform process built around clear objectives can create the conditions for lasting change in Serbia.
