(WAN/IFEX) – The first completely independent distribution network for newspapers in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has begun operations in an effort to free the press from government domination of distribution, the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) announced on 16 July 1998. “Independent newspapers cannot be viable unless adequate business conditions are created, including a […]
(WAN/IFEX) – The first completely independent distribution network for
newspapers in
the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has begun operations in an effort to free
the press from government domination of distribution, the World Association
of Newspapers (WAN) announced on 16 July 1998.
“Independent newspapers cannot be viable unless adequate business conditions
are created, including a distribution network that puts those newspapers in
the hands of readers”, said the WAN Director General, Timothy Balding. “A
distribution network free of government control is absolutely essential if
other voices are to be heard, especially in a
country where the government does not accept full freedom of the press.”
The network is a joint venture between WAN and UNESCO and will be run by a
new
Belgrade-based distribution company called TransPress, which is owned by The
Association of Independent and Private Media, founded by six private
Belgrade publications and two news agencies.
Start-up funds for the project, which must eventually become commercially
viable, were provided by the German, Swiss and Norwegian governments.
TransPress began distribution late Wednesday, 15 July 1998, and its initial
network will
bring newspapers previously available only in Belgrade to the cities of
Kragujevac, Kraljevo, Cacak, Uzice, Zrenjanin, Kikinda and Novi Sad. It
hopes to eventually purchase larger trucks that will allow it to distribute
newspapers in Montenegro.
Its long-term plans call for the establishment of a nationwide distribution
network with its own alternative to the expensive government-controlled
kiosks.
“In addition to providing many jobs, such a system would minimize the
investment required and greatly improve the flow of cash between readers and
publishers”, a company statement said. “Long delays in obtaining payment
from existing distributors is one of the publishers’ chief complaints.”
WAN, the global association of the newspaper industry, represents 15,000
newspapers world-wide.
