nettime: Radio b92 (Belgrade) in danger

[Geert Lovink <geert@xs4all.nl> (by way of abroeck@v2.nl (Andreas Broeckmann))]

Subject: radio b92 in belgrade is in danger
From: drazen@opennet.org
see also: www.opennet.org/b92

--------------

Radio B92 from Belgrade - Press Release

        Radio B92 and its programme were cut off the air for four times
today (Nov 27) during its regular reporting on the anti-government
demonstrations in Belgrade, which last for several days now.

        Demonstrations are being organised by the democratic opposition,
dissatisfied with the results on local elections being cancelled by the
regime. The regime is trying to prevent its electoral defeat in major
cities of Serbia - which is the first factual defeat of the Slobodan
Milosevic's regime since 1987.

        There is more than 100,000 demonstrators marching down the
downtown streets of Belgrade every day. The Belgrade University with its
50,000 students is on strike, demanding the acknowledgement of the
results achieved by the opposition.

        Radio B92 is a single independent electronic medium in Belgrade
which is continually reporting on actual events, and it operates for 7
years now without an official licence. Due to its anti-war engagement and
a variety of highly successful projects in the domain of culture and
communications, B92 was presented the CPJ 1993. award.

        The transmitter which Radio B92 uses to broadcast its programme is
situated among the transmitters owned by the state and is therefore
inaccessible to our technicians who might otherwise check whether a
misoperation was at stake or an intended interruption. Our experts claim
that an intended interruption IS in question. These incidents were
reported to Aleksandar Tijanic, Serbian Minister of Information who claims
not to have any kind of connection with these latest developments.

        It is obvious that this is a direct threat and an introduction to
a final ban of the B92. This Radio has so far been the best, most reliable
and professional source of information for both the citizens of Belgrade
and foreign correspondents based in FR Yugoslavia. Should it be banned,
this would mean a huge blow for democratic processes in Serbia and an
obvious undermining of all the principles that the Dayton Agreement
stands for.

        Radio B92 is in danger!
        Warn the public on these facts and launch a protest with the Serbian
regime aimed to protecting the single left independent voice in Belgrade.


        In this very moment only a minor part of Belgrade can tune to
Radio B92.



Veran Matic
Editor in-Chief




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