23. 08. 2004

Who’s using state resources?

BELGRADE, August 23, 2004 (B92) – Serbia’s Broadcast Agency has sought documentation on bodies using state resources to broadcast the programs of private television stations, the chairman of the Broadcast Agency Council, Nenad Cekic, said today. Cekic, speaking at a press conference, said that the request, which has been sent to the government and Radio Television Serbia, seeks information on the number of stations for broadcasting and transmission which have been installed in military facilities as well as in the premises of Radio Television Serbia and the Serbian Post Office. Also sought is a complete list of broadcasters using state resources. The Council is also seeking precise monthly figures for the lease of locations and information on whether lease contracts have been signed under commercial conditions and whether they contain accurate information. Cekic said that the Council had attempted to obtain the information by canvassing broadcasters but that 207 companies had refused to reveal their transmission locations. He described the refusal as alarming. The demand for information has been forwarded to Defence Minister Prvoslav Davinic, Radio Television Serbia director Aleksandar Tijanic, Telekom Serbia director Drasko Petrovic and Serbian Post Office director Dragan Kovacevic.