Earlier this week, the transmitter of radio B92 from Belgrade was confiscated by the Serbian authorities. The editor-in- chief, Veran Matic, was held in custody in a police station for well over 8 hours. Despite this intimidation the station continues its independent news service. At De Balie in Amsterdam a support group has been founded tonight, which intends to support B92 and other independent media in Yugoslavia where possible in the continuation of their important news service.

With the support of internet provider XS4ALL B92 also transmits its signals via internet since December 1996. These digital broadcasts are picked up by the BBC Worldservice and retransmitted via satellite. Through a network of local radio stations the programs of B92 can be heard throughout Serbia, despite repeated attempts by the authorities to silence the station. At this moment it is still possible to follow the broadcasts of Radio B92 in real audio on their website.

In light of the current tense situation it is very likely that the possibilities of B92 to continue its independent news service will be limited even further. The support group therefore intends to take measures to distribute news by and about B92 from Amsterdam.

http://www.b92.net

http://helpB92.xs4all.nl