SARAJEVO, Aug 19 (Hina) - The Independent Media Commission (IMC) in Sarajevo has refused a request by a Bosniak radio-television station that it be granted a permanent broadcasting licence, and banned its operation. The decision not
to grant the station 'International' a permanent broadcasting licence was made on Friday by IMC's director Krister Thelin, who also ordered that the station cease broadcasting its programmes. In a statement issued in Sarajevo today the IMC recalls that the station had been granted a temporary broadcasting licence on May 18 1999. The statement also says that the IMC defined International as a public radio and TV station given the financial support it received from different sources. However, it was clear that during the procedure of issuing the licence the station wanted to falsely present facts with the aim of keeping its status as a private station, the statement reads. The IMC believes that
SARAJEVO, Aug 19 (Hina) - The Independent Media Commission (IMC) in
Sarajevo has refused a request by a Bosniak radio-television
station that it be granted a permanent broadcasting licence, and
banned its operation.
The decision not to grant the station 'International' a permanent
broadcasting licence was made on Friday by IMC's director Krister
Thelin, who also ordered that the station cease broadcasting its
programmes.
In a statement issued in Sarajevo today the IMC recalls that the
station had been granted a temporary broadcasting licence on May 18
1999.
The statement also says that the IMC defined International as a
public radio and TV station given the financial support it received
from different sources.
However, it was clear that during the procedure of issuing the
licence the station wanted to falsely present facts with the aim of
keeping its status as a private station, the statement reads.
The IMC believes that the station is not a private but a public
station, closely linked with the Party of Democratic Action (SDA),
the statement reads.
According to the statement, the SDA president and BH Presidency
member, Alija Izetbegovic, has been authorised by the state of
Qatar to realise its donation to the station. According to IMC
regulations, Qatar cannot be a donor because it is not a member of
the Peace Implementation Council (PIC), the IMC says.
The IMC further claims that the station did not demonstrate
compliance with IMC obligations regarding royalties and other
general legal provisions which are of crucial importance for any
station to be able to apply for a permanent licence.
The broadcasting ban is the second such decision by the IMC.
Early this year, the IMC banned the operation of the Mostar TV
station Erotel, accusing it, among else, of close links with the
Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia-Herzegovina (HDZ BiH).
(hina) rml