ANEM press release

Censorship from the skies

NATO bombs broadcasters in Yugoslavia

BELGRADE, April 21, 1999 --

ANEM, the Association of Independent Electronic Media in Yugoslavia, condemns last nightís NATO attack on the Usce Business Centre in New Belgrade. This building houses a number of radio and television stations, among other commercial tenants. ANEM points out that this building is clearly a civilian facility and can in no way be regarded as a military target.

ANEM believes that one reason for this attack was that most of the broadcasters in the building produced and transmitted their programs from the building itself. In line with its advocacy of the broadest possible media freedom, ANEM protests most sternly at this destruction of media facilities.

ANEM has always opposed any form of censorship. Its struggle against the Yugoslav authoritiesí repression of independent news media is well known to the public, both domestic and international.

The media in Yugoslavia are now in double jeopardy as they face NATOs "bomber censorship" in addition to closures by the government.

ANEM will exert any influence it can to avert similar actions by NATO in the future.

ANEM emphasises that the dissemination of information cannot be stopped by sheer repression. This applies equally to information which is regarded as untrue or propagandistic. This ability of information to reach its audience has been demonstrated by the closures of ANEM affiliates over the past year and will continue to be demonstrated as NATO bombs media outlets and the Yugoslav authorities continue to close and take over ANEMís affiliated radio and television stations. Far from stemming the flow of information, such repression and force actually make the information more attractive to the audience at which it is targetted.

ANEM notes with relief that last night's attack on the Usce Business Centre did not result in casualties, but warns that casualties are inevitable if such attacks continue. ANEM therefore calls for an immediate halt to all repression of the media, whether it be from local political interference or foreign military intervention.