23. 01. 2006

RTV NISAVA IN THE DARK

NIS, January 23, 2006 – Management of Nis-based RTV Nisava tries to solve the current difficulties of the station by using the neighbors’ power for radio program broadcasting, and at the same time trying to provide the necessary funds for settling the outstanding electricity debt of around 600.000 dinars (close to 6.900 euros). The problems of this media outlet have started last week, with the power cut-off. “We haven’t been notified that they would cut our power off, no one warned us or suggested the options for debt settling”. Director of RTV Nisava Ferhat Saiti claimed he had tried to contact the Electric Power of Serbia regarding arrangements for paying monthly dues; however, the EPS staff was on strike at that point. “We cannot broadcast our TV program, while the radio program is currently on air only thanks to our neighbors who “rented” us their power”, said editor of RTV Nisava, Turkijan Redzepi. According to Redzepi, RTV Nisava, which broadcast program for Roma ethnic minority, is financed solely by personal sources and modest donations from non-governmental organisations. “We are willing to pay our dues, but we think that something like this must not affect the broadcast of our program, which is specific and very important for the Roma community in this part of Serbia. Donations granted to our media house are more than symbolic, so we get by the way we can”, said Redzepi. The Electric Power branch “Jugoistok” however claim they are ready to cooperate and find solution for this media house, proposing fixed monthly payments.