28. 10. 2004

PUBLIC WANTS ENTERTAINMENT, NOT RELIGION, ON TELEVISION

TRSTENIK, October 28, 2004 (Glas Javnosti) - People in the municipality of Trstenik are unable to understand and accept that for the past several days they are unable to watch their favourite entertainment on TV Trstenik and instead can see only religious features. The Municipal Council of Trstenik at its last meeting resolved by majority to privatise the broadcaster by donating it to the Zica Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The decision was implemented and all the necessary equipment removed from the premises of TV Trstenik. The station's entire management, along with thirty members of the staff, moved to the newly-established TV Logos. The management of the company Nova Sloga has failed a complaint with the authorities of illegal entry, and demanded the immediate eviction of the broadcaster and obliging it to restore the facilities to their former state. Despite these demands and complaints, this television station has continued to broadcast without problems. "The public are demanding that this decision be reversed because their voice should be heard in it. They want a municipal television station, not TV Logos, which doesn't broadcast programs relevant to the municipality, but only spiritual music and religious themes," said the new president of the Trstenik Municipality, Radovan "Raka" Radovic. The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) has supported the remaining staff of the public company TV Trstenik, which is a member of the association, in both a statement and in a television features which has been broadcast. ANEM has provided essential assistance for personnel and technical needs, and has also given financial support. ANEM in its statement claimed that the donation of the station had been done with no attention to the established privatisation process for media companies. Members of the public and staff of the Tribina daily newspaper and radio station were astounded to hear the irreligious speech by the deacon of the Zica Diocese, Rados Mladenovic, which was broadcast several days ago on TV Logos. In it he described anyone opposed to the new religious regime at the broadcaster as blasphemers and atheists. He also said he did not know what ANEM is, despite TV Trstenik being a member of the association, which is entitled to provide protection and assistance to its members when needed. The deacon described the newly elected municipal authorities as "fledgling politicians" who have failed to comprehend the times they live in. Members of the public were generally condemnatory of this address, saying that priests of this kind do not deserve a position in society, let alone in the media. The problem should be dealt with by the Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, because the Church should be propagating the Orthodox religion and not interfering in politics as in this case, said the people of Trstenik.