Radio B-92 in Belgrade Harnesses the Power of a Media Activist Community During the War to Keep Broadcasting Despite Terrestrial Ban

Abstract

During the 1999 war between NATO and the former Yugoslavia, an opposition radio station in Belgrade used the Internet to continue to disseminate news and music despite having their terrestrial transmitting equipment confiscated by Serbian authorities. This article will discuss how Radio B-92 was able to do this through the close coordination of radio station staff in Serbia and their partners from within the European media activist community. This article will begin by setting the activities of Radio B-92 and its partners during the Spring of 1999 in a historical context by discussing the use of broadcast and other media during the wars and conflicts of the past.