The media and journalists have a role as important as that of politicians in social development, Serbian President Boris Tadic said Wednesday at the conference of the South East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO) on investigative journalism in Belgrade.

He stressed the importance of journalism in building a free society and democracy, particularly the importance of investigative journalism.

Looking back, it can be seen that Serbia as a society is changing for the better, Tadic said.

In this country, journalists and politicians have been killed and it is true that all people who take risks deserve respect and protection of the state, because without them, the society cannot be substantially changed, he said.

If you have someone to talk to in the political sphere, the society has a better chance to get out of this crisis and find solutions, Tadic said.

Investigative journalism is a very delicate job, you have a mission to uncover the invisible reality, to identify any processes that are dangerous, that threaten the economic order in the country, he said.

Your job is to control the representatives of the state and government. In societies that are not institutionalized, which are in development, if there is no partnership between the media and political structures in changing society, there is no chance of success, he said, pointing out that journalists have a role of controllers and partners.

Independence is not sufficiently incorporated in journalism, Tadic said.

No one is completely independent in today's world, but the greatest possible independence should be established, because that is the only way we can build and contribute to the maturity of society, Tadic said, adding that the killers of journalists and politicians must be found.

Judiciary reform has priority

Serbian President Boris Tadic said Wednesday that Serbia started the reform of the judiciary sector before getting candidate status or starting negotiations with the EU.

All other countries started reform of the judiciary at the end of the negotiation process, he said addressing the conference of the South East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO) on investigative journalism in Belgrade. Tadic expressed hope for a significant step forward in the area, noting that the judiciary reform is a priority.

When it comes to judiciary reform, different interests appear. Every reform illuminates interests first. They are seen through the influence of big business, through the influence of political parties and within the legal profession, Tadic said. When interests come to the fore, criteria are quickly neglected, he said.

The establishment of regulated society is possible if the judiciary sector is reformed, he said, expressing hope that a significant step forward in this reform will be made soon.