Paris, May 18 {No.2000-51} - UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura today expressed grave concern over the Serbian government's authoritarian measures targeting opposition television broadcaster Studio B and several independent media in Serbia.

The Director-General declared: "Freedom of speech, the independence and pluralism of the media are fundamental objectives for UNESCO whose Constitution promotes 'the free flow of ideas by word and image'. I am extremely concerned by the conditions imposed on the last remaining independent media in Serbia. The Serb authorities' take-over of Studio B, the silencing of Radio B2-92 and Radio Index are serious blows to freedom of expression and democracy". He added: "The situation of print media, which is encountering ever growing difficulty in going to press, is also a cause of serious concern."

The government of Belgrade on Wednesday took control of the facilities of Studio B which is favourable to the opposition. This also led to the end of broadcasting by the independent radio stations B2-92 and Radio Index which were hosted by the opposition television.

UNESCO supported the activities of Studio B, B2-92, as well as other independent television broadcasters, by providing them with programming. It is also preparing to provide local programme production and training assistance. Help in journalist training was already provided in 1995, along with the contribution of hardware and programme swaps among the broadcasters of different countries in the region.