Net saves Belgrade independent radio
- — 29 March, 1999 21:49
An independent radio station that Yugoslavian authorities shut down last Wednesday has been able to continue its broadcasts via the Internet since last night, thanks to Real Networks and a supportive Dutch service provider.
The independent Belgrade-based radio station, B92, is continuing to broadcast as usual via the Internet, broadcasting news in English.
The Dutch service provider XS4ALL has also set up a special support campaign for Radio B92. The provider has been transmitting signals from B92 via the Internet since 1996, according to information on its Web site. These digital signals are also picked up by the BBC World Service and retransmitted via satellite.
"In light of the current tense situation it is very likely that the possibility of B92 continuing its independent news service will be limited even further," according to a statement on the Dutch providers' Web site. A fundraising campaign is also being started by the support group, to send money and equipment to B92 and other independent radio stations in Serbia and Kosovo, the statement said.
On Wednesday evening, NATO forces began bombing strikes in Yugoslavia, in reaction to ongoing conflicts between the Serbs and the ethnic Albanian minority in Kosovo.
Radio B92 broadcasts can be heard at http://realguide.real.com/ or at http://www.b92.net/. The "XS4ALL for all" campaign on behalf of the station can be found on the Web at http://helpb92.xs4all.nl
