Article View: bit.listserv.devmedia
Article #500Five Radio Stations are in danger!
From: Philippe Delchambre/PhD
Date: Wed, 04 Dec 1996 00:00
Date: Wed, 04 Dec 1996 00:00
312 lines
14364 bytes
14364 bytes
Source: Philippe Delchambre, techn. manager Radio Campus Bruxelles
100421.2300@compuserve.com
The press releases are coming from:
B92 @ http://www.openet.org/ or http://www.xs4all.nl/~opennet/
on this site, you can download RealAudio files
and
IFJ @ http://www.ifj.org
Press Release n1 to n4: Radio B92
Press Release n5: Democratic Coalition
Press Release n6: Reporters Sans Frontieres
Here are the fax numbers to which you can send your notes of protest and
support:
President Slobodan Milosevic
381-11-684-679
Minister for Information Aleksandar Tijanic
381-11-685-937
Coalition "Together" - Organizers of the Protest
381-11-322-8890
-------------------------------------------------------
B92 press release n1
[Image] Five Radio Stations Banned
For the third consecutive day, the broadcasting frequency of the single
independent radio station in Belgrade, Radio B92, is being jammed during its
reports on the huge anti-government demonstrations in the Serbian capital.
In addition, the Yugoslav Federal Inspector for Traffic and Communications
yesterday banned five radio stations (Radio Ozon, Radio Soliter, Dzoker
Radio, Radio 96 and Star FM) in Cacak, one of the cities in Serbia where the
opposition carried the recent local elections.
The election results in places where the opposition initially won a majority
of votes, thus defeating the regime of Slobodan Milosevic, were subsequently
annulled, causing demonstrations of more than 100,000 Belgraders, general
strike of students of the Belgrade University and numerous demonstrations
throughout inner Serbia.
A fight for power on the local and municipal levels is at the same time a
fight for the control over the local media -- and that is the reason why
independent radio stations are being banned in those cities where the
opposition won the majority of votes.
Some of these radio stations were broadcasting the news programs of Radio
B92.
In Belgrade, tens of thousands of demonstrators have been protesting every
day for the past ten days in a row. Day after day thousands have gathered in
front of the building where B92 is based, offering their support and
protesting against the government's jamming of Radio B92's frequency.
In Podgorica, Montenegro authorities are threatening not to extend the
validity of its frequency license, starting Dec 1, to Montenegro's single
independent radio station Antenna M. This station has also been broadcasting
Radio B92 reports and news programs.
The latest developments in Yugoslavia are gaining more and more publicity in
the world media: a sure way of putting pressure on the regime of Slobodan
Milosevic to give up its anti-democratic policies.
Veran Matic
Editor in-Chief
---------------------------------------------------------
B92 press release n2
[Image] Another "Jamming Device" Activated Against Radio B92
The single independent medium in Belgrade, Radio B92, has been continuously
jammed since the demonstrations in major Serbian cities began gathering
steam a week ago. More than 200,000 demonstrators continue to protest
throughout Serbia every day. Today, Dec 1, 1996 the situation has taken yet
another turn for the worse as an extremely strong transmitter has been
activated on a frequency which Radio B92 uses to broadcast its programs.
That is why the programs of B92 can be heard only in about 40% of Belgrade's
territory.
Since the revolt expressed by the demonstrators who are protesting for the
fourteenth day in a row against the theft of their votes by Milosevic's
regime has grown more vigorous and determined, more radical methods of
repression might be expected. We are particularly concerned about the
growing possibility of a forcible police take-over of Radio B92.
Despite all the threats we've received so far, the journalists of Radio B92
continue with their professionally impeccable reporting on the latest
developments in Belgrade and elsewhere, and the Radio itself has become an
unofficial press center for an unprecedented number of foreign
correspondents who are in Belgrade these days. Reactions of the institutes
dealing with human rights and the freedom of expression are still not very
numerous, however. Counter-actions to the regime's attempts at repression
have been taken, so that the police force in Belgrade is now facing the
jamming of their own communication devices.
Here are the fax numbers to which you can send your notes of protest and
support:
President Slobodan Milosevic
381-11-684-679
Minister for Information Aleksandar Tijanic
381-11-685-937
Coalition "Together" - Organizers of the Protest
381-11-322-8890
Our news service 'Odraz B92' will continue to be broadcast on the Internet
in spite of a possible ban on Radio B92.
Veran Matic
Editor in-Chief
Radio B92
------------------------------------------------------
B92 press release n3
[Image] 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 independent voice left in Belgrade.
In this very moment only a minor part of Belgrade can tune to Radio B92.
Veran Matic
Editor in-Chief
------------------------------------------------------------
B92 Press Release n4
[Image]
Federal Republic Yugoslavia
Federal Ministry for Transport and Communication
December 3, 1996
To: Radio B92, Makedonska 22/V, Belgrade
In reply to your request No. 180-1 dated Dec 2, 1996, a team of the
Control-Measurement Centre of the Federal Ministry of Radio Connections
carried out all necessary controls to monitor possible interference which
cause damage to your programme on the 92.5 frequency on Dec 3, 1996.
Measures and control of broadcasts carried out on the date started above
have concluded that there no damaging interference whatcoever was noted.
Thorough examination of our documents showed that your radio station, B92
DOES NOT HAVE a working licence, issued in the name of Radio B92.
The work of your station without a licence is illegal.
Bearing in mind that your programme is broadcast on the frequency 92.5 MHZ,
for which Radio Television Serbia has a licence, it is necessary that you
submit a valid contract has been signed with RTS.
If you do not have a valid Contract with RTS, it is required that you submit
a request for a licence to be issued, followed with the accompanying
technical documentation, including a copy of the Contract with RTS.
Otherwise your will continue to be a illegal and by doing so you would
commit an offence under the Law on the Systems of Connections (article 141),
as well as a criminal deed according to the Criminal Law of the Republic of
Serbia (article 219).
At the same time we hereby wish to inform you that we requested that the
Control-Measurement Centre be appointed to control eventual occurence of
damaging interference in the broadcast of your programme - the results of
those controls will be submited to you in the near future.
Milan Topalovic
Dipl Eng
Manager
Veran Matic
Editor in-Chief
Radio B92
----------------------------------------------
IFJ Press Release
Media Release
3 December 1996
Milosevic "declares war on democracy and press freedom". IFJ condemns
closure of radio stations.
The IFJ today accused the government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
of an "act of war" against press freedom over the bureaucratic decision to
close the only radio stations covering opposition protests on the streets of
Belgrade.
IFJ General Secretary Aidan White, who visits Sarajevo tomorrow, said that
the action against Radio B-92 which took place today is a "declaration of
war on democracy and press freedom." He also condemned the decision to close
the student radio station "Index" thus silencing the only independent
broadcasters in Belgrade.
"The excuse for the action against radio B-92 is a petty and bureaucratic
one of contractual obligations. It is nonsense.
"In reality, the Milosevic regime has demonstrated clearly what independent
journalists have known for years - it is a government of censorship with
contempt for press freedom.
"At a time when the people of FRY are taking to the streets to reclaim their
democratic rights, the government of Milosevic has shown its true colours to
the international community. It is fundamental that Western governments
respond vigorously." said Mr White.
Tommorrow, 4 December, an IFJ mission will be in Sarajevo to discuss
independent media in the country, and the issue of B-92 and Index will be
discussed.
For further information contact Cailin Mackenzie on tel: +32 2 219 7780,
fax: +32 2 219 2976.or ifjsafenet@gn.apc.org
http://www.ifj.org
-------------------------------------------------
Democratic Coalition Press Release
Democratic Coalition
Zajedno (Together)
Belgrade, November 28th, 1996
STATEMENT
Cracking Down on the Last Independent Media in Serbia
Since yesterday, the last two independent media in Serbia have been
prevented from functioning due to open pressure and interruptions of all
kind.
The broadcasts of an independent radio, B92, have been continuously jammed
by police devices, especially during live transmission of the opposition
demonstration in downtown Belgrade.
Independent daily Blic was also under various pressures and in this way
political reporting from our country has been reduced to a minimum. The Blic
deputy manager and several of his reporters have resigned.
By these steps, the socialist regime has shown its clear intention to crack
down on the last indepndent media and to cement the dictatorship in Serbia.
Ilija Djukic
Chairman
Foreign Affairs Committee
of the Democratic Party
[Image]
------------------------------------------------------------
Reporters Sans Frontieres Press Release
AACOMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE
Serbie
Deux radios baillonnees a Belgrade
Apres avoir demontre son mepris du suffrage universel,
le president serbe Slobodan Milosevic devoile au grand jour son
hostilite a la liberte de la presse. Deux stations, la radio
etudiante Index et Radio B92, symbole des medias independants
serbes, viennent d'etre interdites. Leurs emetteurs ont ete
debranches par les autorites. De surcroit, le ministere des
Communications a decrete que B92 "ne possede pas d'autorisation"
d'emettre, concluant que son activite est "illegale".
Devant une telle situation, Reporters sans frontieres a
tout d'abord decide d'envoyer immediatement une aide d'urgence
d'un montant total de 50 000 francs a l'equipe de l'agence de
presse independante Beta et a celle de B92. Mais les aides
materielles ne peuvent faire reculer les autorites serbes dans
leur volonte d'etouffer les medias independants. Seule une
mobilisation de l'Union europeenne, des Etats-Unis, ainsi que de
l'ensemble des nations qui souhaitent l'etablissement d'une paix
veritable en ex-Yougoslavie, peut obtenir ce resultat. Reporters
sans frontieres exhorte donc ces gouvernements a agir le plus
vite et le plus energiquement possible pour que B92 et Index
puissent emettre a nouveau dans les plus brefs delais.
___________________________________________________________________________
Pour tout renseignement complementaire, contacter Reporters sans
frontieres Tel : (1) 44 83 84 84 - Fax : (1) 45 23 11 51 -
E-mail : rsf@calvanet.calvacom.fr
----------------------------------------------------
Technical Details
Message-ID:
<961204140940_100421.2300_JHU96-2@CompuServe.COM>Path:
arc1-ca.pugleaf.net!unknown!not-for-mailShow Full Headers
Complete Article Headers
X-Google-Language: ENGLISH,ASCII-7-bit X-Google-Thread: 105940,978e1631e1eff267,start X-Google-Attributes: gid105940,public From: Philippe Delchambre/PhD <100421.2300@COMPUSERVE.COM> Subject: Five Radio Stations are in danger! Date: 1996/12/04 Message-ID: <961204140940_100421.2300_JHU96-2@CompuServe.COM> X-Deja-AN: 202306320 sender: Media for Development in Democracy <DEVMEDIA@LISTSERV.UOGUELPH.CA> comments: To: IASTARlistserv <iastar@bjarke.x.dtu.dk>, newsgroups: bit.listserv.devmedia