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UNEM 

UNION OF INDEPENDENT ELECTRONIC MEDIA OF MONTENEGRO

Podgorica, Montenegro – Yugoslavia

• Background

UNEM – Union of independent electronic media of Montenegro was formed by 9 radio stations and 2 TV stations: Radio Panorama (Pljevlja), Radio Boje (Berane), Radio Montena (Niksic), Radio Antena M Podgorica), Radio Fokus (Bijelo Polje), Radio Glas Plava (Plav), Radio Mir (Tuzi), Radio Ozon (Kolasin), Radio Free Montenegro (Podgorica), TV stations Montena (Podgorica) and Sky Sat (Herceg Novi).

Position of Independent electronic media in Montenegro is determined by – low economic activity in Montenegro, monopoly position of state media, non-existence of good broadcasting law.

In this situation, it is of vital importance to coordinate activities of all independent media, and to exchange programs and information in order to be capable to protect our interest in communication with state and state media, as well.

In order to improve our position we will work more on mutual cooperation and coordination, to produce jointly different program materials and to promote and to protect publicly our interests.

Although, there is important improvement in liberalization of licensing electronic media in Montenegro, still there is no adequate broadcasting law. In that situation media, especially electronic, are very often dependent on good or bad will of ministers, or state employees.

Beside this, general economic situation is very bad, so it is not possible to cover all necessary costs with marketing.

In this situation there is monopoly position of state media, because they are donated by the state, and in marketing activities they are leading unfair competition. Same situation is about licensing, antenna towers, so called high hills, etc.

It is very difficult, for any single station to solve any of these problems so we believe that it is more realistic that we can to do it through our association.

• Project I: Coordinating Unit

In order to work more on mutual cooperation, to decrease extremely high costs for maintenance of equipment, especially transmitters and antenna systems, we will use jointly maintenance team that will work for all stations.

Beside this in coordinating unit we want to have law expert who will help us to prepare all necessary draft material, regarding broadcasting law, and all other segments of media legislation.

Also, we intend to work much more on coordination, program cooperation, fight against monopoly position of state media, and protect our interests.

For that goals we formed coordinating unit, in which thorough work of professionals will be fulfilled all of this activities.

• Project II:  Urgent technical assistance for the station on the north and Unem members

Stations in Montenegro are in urgent need for technical assistance. Both stations on the north of republic, which is in even worst situation, because this is les developed area, and geographical with more high hills and hard winter conditions, so especially antenna system and transmitters are working in more difficult conditions. This is part of republic which in multi-national so it is of vital importance to have as much strong as possible independent media. This is also bordering zone so this media will be important in future plans for cooperation with electronic media in the region.

For other media, Unem member we are want to obtain only for very urgent equipment that is in critical situation.

• Project III:   Assistance to the news program

The independent media's Montenegro are not able to pay service the independent news agency Montana fax for their news service. Considering the fact that this is the only news agency in Montenegro it is impossible to arrange the news program without the service Motena. Therefore  we would like to obtain this service for our members, for 6 months either or for a year.

• Project IV:   ISDN networking of the stations

Interconnections of the stations

Conference connections

With two direct telephone lines for each station we intend to connect every station with telecommunication center through ISDN connection 128 k.

This project will enable to connect all members between them, broadcasting quality signal, and also to be connected with other radio stations in the region.

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Phone +41-1-272 46 37,  Fax +41-1-272 46 82, email: info@MEDIENHILFE.ch