History of ANEM
Chronicling ANEM's journey from its establishment in 1993 to present day, highlighting key milestones in advocating for independent media and press freedom in Serbia.
In 1993, several stations—Radio B92 and NTV Studio B from Belgrade, Radio Boom 93 from Požarevac, Radio Antena M from Podgorica, Radio Bajina Bašta from Bajina Bašta, Radio Smederevo from Smederevo, and Radio Cetinje from Cetinje—established the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM). The goal was to unite isolated media outlets, which was the first step towards dismantling the media monopoly that was under state control.
Until the onset of mass civil protests in the winter of 1996/97, the influence of independent, non-state electronic media was severely limited. Radio B92, Radio Index, Radio Bajina Bašta, Radio Boom 93, and Radio Cetinje were an oasis of professional reporting. When the opposition won local elections, local radio and TV stations in around thirty of Serbia's largest cities were given the opportunity to alter the media landscape and threaten the monopoly of state radio and TV stations.
By early 1996, only four active members remained in the Association due to the repression enforced by the authorities—Radio B92, Radio Boom 93, Radio Antena M, and Radio Bajina Bašta. In December 1996, the Serbian government closed Radio Boom 93, reducing the number of members to three. Taking advantage of the favorable political situation created by the mass civil demonstrations of 1996/97, ANEM formed a network of 19 affiliated independent local radio and TV stations across Serbia and Montenegro in June 1997. The reach and influence of the Network significantly increased, growing to 35 stations by June 1998.
During 1998 and 1999, the authorities intensified repression against ANEM stations—some affiliated stations were banned from operating, while others were taken over by the regime. In the first weeks of the bombing, the authorities took control of Radio B92. During the three-month bombing campaign, eight ANEM stations were closed. By August 1999, all affiliated stations that had been closed during the NATO bombing returned to the air.
In November 1997, ANEM became a legal entity. Based on the Companies Act, it was registered as a business association of the three most active and dedicated members—Radio B92, Radio Boom 93, and RTV Bajina Bašta.
Following the democratic changes of 2000, around 100 radio and TV stations applied for membership in the Association, and the founders of thirty stations were granted full membership status at the first ANEM Assembly in May 2001.
The Association gathers only stations that have broadcasting licenses, primarily local and regional stations. ANEM and its members are united in their commitment to fundamental human rights, respect for, protection of, and promotion of freedom of expression and information, as well as upholding the highest journalistic standards and ethics.
In recent years, ANEM has focused on journalist safety issues, as well as monitoring the regularity of the process of project co-financing of media content by the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications, provincial governments, and local authorities.
ANEM is today an association dedicated to improving conditions for media development and freedom of expression and protecting the interests of its membership. ANEM is a member of several international media organizations: SEEMO (South East Europe Media Organization), SEENAPB (South East European Network of Associations of Private Broadcasters), IFEX (International Freedom of Expression Exchange), and an associate member of the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) based in the USA.
