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Independent Belgrade radio back on air

The independent Belgrade radio station, B92, began broadcasting again on Monday under a new name and on a new frequency, after a gap of four months.

The station, which is now calling itself Radio B2-92, is broadcasting from the studios of a television station controlled by the maverick Serbian politician, Vuk Draskovic.

Serbian authorities raided the original radio station at the beginning of the conflict with Nato and appointed a new editor-in-chief.

The launch of Radio B2-92 brings to an end months of uncertainty about the future of Belgrade's award-winning radio station, B92.

With its slogan of "Don't trust anyone - not even us!", the radio has been a thorn in the side of the Serbian authorities for 10 years.

After a number of attempts to close the station, the authorities succeeded in neutralising it during the conflict with Nato.

A new editor-in-chief was appointed and the journalists were replaced.

Worries over independence

Now the original team is back and the station is on a new frequency and with its new name - but the problems are not yet over.

Radio B2-92 has received help from a Belgrade television station, controlled by Mr Draskovic, which is providing B2-92 with office and studio space.

The radio insists that it has been guaranteed its independence, but doubts have inevitably been raised about its ability to broadcast reports critical of Mr Draskovic or his party.

And there could be legal problems.

The rump Radio B92 is threatening to sue the journalists because the name they have chosen for their new station is too similar to an existing name and could confuse listeners.

But journalists dismiss these threats as another attempt to apply political pressure.

They say their main worry in the coming days will be whether their new computer system crashes.

Relevant Stories

Montenegro's media speaks out (06 Jul 99 | Europe)
Serbian TV back on satellite (23 Jun 99 | Monitoring)
B92 under new management (14 Apr 99 | Monitoring)
Serbia closes B92 radio station (02 Apr 99 | Monitoring)
Radio B92 - off the air but on the Net (24 Mar 99 | Europe)

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