Serbian independent radio jammed

December 2 was the third consecutive day on which the single independent radio station in Belgrade, Radio B92, was jammed during its reports of the huge anti-government demonstrations in the Serbian capital. The federal inspector for traffic and communications also banned five radio stations in Cacak, one of the cities in Serbia where the opposition carried the recent local elections.

Radio B92 has operated for seven years without an official licence. Due to its antiwar stand and a variety of highly successful projects in the domain of culture and communications, B92 was presented the Committee to Protect Journalists' 1993 award.

Editor in chief Veran Matic said, "It is obvious that this is a direct threat and an introduction to a final ban of the B92 -- the best, most reliable and professional source of information for both the citizens of Belgrade and foreign correspondents based in the country. 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."

Matic has urged supporters of a free media to fax protest letters and petitions to the chief of the president's cabinet (381 11 684 679), the prime minister (381 11 657 379) and the Ministry of Information of Serbia (381 11 685 937).

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