(AMARC/IFEX) – The following is an 18 September 1998 press release by the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM), forwarded in its entirety by AMARC: The illegal ruling by the Negotin Municipality building inspection, ordering ANEM’s member STV Negotin [radio station] to remove parts of its antennae broadcast system, was forcefully effected on Thursday [17 […]
(AMARC/IFEX) – The following is an 18 September 1998 press release by the
Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM), forwarded in its
entirety by AMARC:
The illegal ruling by the Negotin Municipality building inspection, ordering
ANEM’s member STV Negotin [radio station] to remove parts of its antennae
broadcast system, was forcefully effected on Thursday [17 September 1998],
discontinuing the station’s broadcasts.
Despite crowds of Negotin citizens, who gathered in front of the building
housing the antennae post to demonstrate their support to the station, the
municipal staff on Thursday morning made its third attempt to enforce the
ruling and dismantle STV Negotin’s antennae system. After the municipal
staff proved technically unskilled and incapable of performing the task, the
municipal official in charge announced the action stopped due to technical
reasons. Several hours later, the management of the station was informed
that the municipality staff, under pressure from the local principals, had
returned to the site, this time without police backing, to try to dismantle
the antennae system yet again. The building inspector, however, brought in
his own (apparently personal) security guards, who blocked access to the
site — even to STV Negotin’s general manager, who had the right to be
present there according to the law.
This illegal, self-willed and ruthless behaviour of the municipal
authorities, who forcefully effected the illegal ruling even though their
staff had proved incompetent to do it, has made it clear that the Negotin
local authorities will stop at nothing to shut down a TV station which
provides objective information and refuses to adjust its editorial policy to
the “truth” as these local lords see it.
ANEM protests strongly at this move at the hands of the Negotin local
authorities. ANEM will continue its efforts to have this illegal and
scandalous ruling rescinded, and to have STV Negotin back on the air and
compensated for the damage caused by the ruthless action of the Negotin
municipal authorities.
On behalf of ANEM,
Veran Matic, ANEM Chairman
