On March 8 the International Radio Serbia marks the 75th anniversary of work. The importance on the short waves will be a topic of the round-table discussion entitled “The future of world radio services and attitude of the state towards them”, to be held on March 7 in the Serbian Parliament. Our reporter Sladjana Pavic talked to the host of the gathering, director and editor-in-chief of the International Radio Serbia, Milorad Vujovic.
Speaking at the round-table discussion will be national and foreign renowned experts, representatives of state institutions and radio broadcasting organizations. Among the participants are the President of the Voice of Russia, representatives of Radio Bulgaria, Voice of Croatia, ItalRadio etc. It is an opportunity to exchange the experience in the functioning of shortwave broadcasters, primarily those from the region, says Vujovic. The idea is to have the participants present their experience in the functioning of these services that are aimed at the foreign listeners and diaspora. “For us, it is especially important in the situation when our status and legal framework should be resolved, and the position of the founder, i.e. the state, towards the functioning of the short waves regulated”, he notes.
For the better operation of such world services, most important are the accompanying technical and technological innovations, especially digitalization. “The process of digitalizing television has only begun in Serbia, while radio and technological innovations aimed at the short waves are yet to be discussed. This should take place in the next tow or three years. The experience of the West European countries shows that we must no lag behind with the introduction of digitalization”, explains Vujovic.
Asked about the future of the International Radio Serbia, he underlines that the functioning of the short waves represents a resource in the broadcasting field, and as such must be respected. “In the world it is considered a strategic resource and economically powerful countries have that attitude, as they are able to articulate the requests directed at the intentions to present the stances and policy of the state to the listeners around the world. In case of Serbia, the fact is that at the moment television is at the forefront. However, radio is irreplaceable in functions that TV is unable to perform. Unlike television, radio can be heard anywhere, so its mobility is of obvious significance. The reactions of our listeners and web site visitors speak of the need and purpose for the existence and survival of the shortwave broadcasting and this service. Of course, the question is to what degree the state is ready to finance the basic functions of our company. In that context, we must strive ourselves, through rationalization and transformation of overall relations, to find new sources of financing our program”, elaborates Milorad Vujovic.
The Director of the International Radio Serbia reminds that world services in almost every country are primarily financed by the state, either directly from the budget, or connected to other public services with special organizational forms. “Those are some of the experiences that will be heard at the round-table, and we hope ill be taken into consideration when making the media strategy, which is under way in the Ministry of Culture, as they will set the future guidelines for the operations of our radio”, Vujovic stressed.
During the debate on the media strategy, suggestions were heard that the state should completely withdraw from media, as the owner. While answering the question how that would impact the short wave radio stations, which by their nature are not commercial, Vujovic says: ”At issue here are primarily those media that can be largely commercialized by their nature, and whose founders are out of the scope of direct state influence. Naturally, when short waves are in question, the impact of the state on the editing policy must not be so pronounced, but should be realized through independent bodies. In view of financing and technical-technological functioning, the assistance of the state will always be needed, and that is the general direction, I believe, that the future solutions for our radio will take”.
Speaking at the round-table discussion will be national and foreign renowned experts, representatives of state institutions and radio broadcasting organizations. Among the participants are the President of the Voice of Russia, representatives of Radio Bulgaria, Voice of Croatia, ItalRadio etc. It is an opportunity to exchange the experience in the functioning of shortwave broadcasters, primarily those from the region, says Vujovic. The idea is to have the participants present their experience in the functioning of these services that are aimed at the foreign listeners and diaspora. “For us, it is especially important in the situation when our status and legal framework should be resolved, and the position of the founder, i.e. the state, towards the functioning of the short waves regulated”, he notes.
For the better operation of such world services, most important are the accompanying technical and technological innovations, especially digitalization. “The process of digitalizing television has only begun in Serbia, while radio and technological innovations aimed at the short waves are yet to be discussed. This should take place in the next tow or three years. The experience of the West European countries shows that we must no lag behind with the introduction of digitalization”, explains Vujovic.
Asked about the future of the International Radio Serbia, he underlines that the functioning of the short waves represents a resource in the broadcasting field, and as such must be respected. “In the world it is considered a strategic resource and economically powerful countries have that attitude, as they are able to articulate the requests directed at the intentions to present the stances and policy of the state to the listeners around the world. In case of Serbia, the fact is that at the moment television is at the forefront. However, radio is irreplaceable in functions that TV is unable to perform. Unlike television, radio can be heard anywhere, so its mobility is of obvious significance. The reactions of our listeners and web site visitors speak of the need and purpose for the existence and survival of the shortwave broadcasting and this service. Of course, the question is to what degree the state is ready to finance the basic functions of our company. In that context, we must strive ourselves, through rationalization and transformation of overall relations, to find new sources of financing our program”, elaborates Milorad Vujovic.
The Director of the International Radio Serbia reminds that world services in almost every country are primarily financed by the state, either directly from the budget, or connected to other public services with special organizational forms. “Those are some of the experiences that will be heard at the round-table, and we hope ill be taken into consideration when making the media strategy, which is under way in the Ministry of Culture, as they will set the future guidelines for the operations of our radio”, Vujovic stressed.
During the debate on the media strategy, suggestions were heard that the state should completely withdraw from media, as the owner. While answering the question how that would impact the short wave radio stations, which by their nature are not commercial, Vujovic says: ”At issue here are primarily those media that can be largely commercialized by their nature, and whose founders are out of the scope of direct state influence. Naturally, when short waves are in question, the impact of the state on the editing policy must not be so pronounced, but should be realized through independent bodies. In view of financing and technical-technological functioning, the assistance of the state will always be needed, and that is the general direction, I believe, that the future solutions for our radio will take”.
(Source : Radio Serbia http://glassrbije.org/E/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13969&Itemid=32 via Media Network Weblog)
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