OHR: DECISION ON BROADCASTING BAN FOR EROTEL MUST BE IMPLEMENTED

SARAJEVO, Nov 16 (Hina) - Spokesman for the Office of the High Representative James Ferguson on Tuesday told reporters in Sarajevo an Independent Media Commission (IMC) in Bosnia decision on a broadcasting ban for Mostar-based television station Erotel must be respected unconditionally. The IMC yesterday ordered Erotel to temporarily stop broadcasting after the station rejected a temporary permit for broadcasting in the coming six months. Without permit, Erotel has no legal foundation for broadcasting, IMC said in a statement issued today. The Mostar-based station may lodge an appeal within 14 days. Spokesman Ferguson confirmed Erotel did not stop broadcasting upon receipt of notice banning future broadcasting. Currently being considered is a way to implement the ban decision. Ferguson reiterated an earlier assessment that some people from Zagreb were behind Erotel's rejection of the temporary broadcasting permit. He asserted the decision to continue broadcasting despite the ban had been imposed, even though the most prominent Bosnian Croat figures agreed to the necessity of reorganising the media space in Bosnia, Erotel included. (hina) ha jn