October 06, 2008.

OSCE MISSION SUPPORTS STRENGTHENED DIALOGUE BETWEEN

SERBIA’S SECURITY SECTOR AND JOURNALISTS

BELGRADE, 6 October 2008 – Eighteen journalists visited the Security-Information Agency (BIA) offices in Belgrade today as part of an OSCE-supported course on security sector reform.

“We welcome the efforts of BIA officials to strengthen their transparency and build trust between media professionals and security services. It is important for young journalists to learn more about how the Agency functions. I am confident that they will report on security related issues more professionally, objectively and responsibly, which is in the interest of the public,” said Hannelore Valier, Head of the Democratization Department within the OSCE Mission to Serbia.

“We are happy to open our doors to young journalists and discuss roles and responsibilities which our Agency has in a democratic society, contributing to a secure and stable environment for all citizens of Serbia,” said Sasa Vukadinovic the Director of the BIA.

This course was organized by the University of Novi Sad.