29. 01. 2010

181 ILLEGAL BROADCASTERS IN SERBIA

(Un)successful fight against illegal broadcasters

Belgrade, January 29, 2010 (Danas) - Since September 2008, in action for the closure of illegal radio and TV stations, the Republic Telecommunications Agency (RATEL) has registered 181 illegal broadcasters with 211 frequencies. About 70 of them were closed so far.

RATEL explained that the number of illegal broadcasters was changeable, because many stations whose premises and equipment were sealed, had broken the official seal and continued to broadcast. According to RATEL, "without the assistance of the police, illegal broadcasters will always return to air."

Goran Pekovic, member of the Council of the Republic Broadcasting Agency (RBA), said for daily Danas, that license were not necessary for radio stations if they broadcast on Internet, but if they broadcast in the air without a license, then they were violating provisions of the Broadcasting law.