Recording of the Diary of Radio B2-92 that was broadcast on October 5, 2000.
Written by: Veran Matić (the text was first published on April 7, 2022)
This is a recording of the Diary of Radio B2-92 which was broadcast on October 5, 2000, at 5 PM.
It was banned for the first time in 1991, the second time in 1996, and the third time in 1999.
On April 3, 1999, Radio B 92 was illegally taken over during the bombing.
On August 2 of the same year, the program of Radio B2-92 began broadcasting from the Beograđanka building, which also housed the editorial offices.
In May 2000, the police raided those premises and confiscated property.
A few hours later, Radio B2-92 was back on air from a location on Svetozara Markovića Street 79.
This broadcast was aired from the studio at the mentioned location.
With an innovative approach, we always found ways to stay on air.
On October 5, no one knew from which locations our radio signal was coming.
The original Radio B 92 was not on the frequency 92.5, which was occupied by the regime's Youth Council, trying to create confusion in the airwaves.
Radio B2 92 appeared like a ghost from various frequencies in hiding…
Among others, from the waves of transmitters set up in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Majevica.
That transmitter was blown up on the first night…
We quickly set up new ones…
We kept the information about the transmitter being blown up secret to prevent the spread of fear and defeatism.
Soon, we installed new transmitters at that location, adding transmitters from Romania, which were also part of the innovation in the way signals were delivered…
Every day, we fought against disruptions, which most often came from representatives of the Yugoslav Army, who disrupted the signals of both B2-92 and the global BBC service, whose platform was used to reach all those who wanted to hear us.
This dark episode is noticeably overlooked by the current opposition political actor who knows a lot about that shameful period.
We changed frequencies multiple times a day and shared information about it in various ways – through primitive or super-sophisticated means.
***
On October 5, a transmitter that was illegally installed on the roof of the opposition municipality of Vračar was also set up just in case.
In agreement with Zoran Đinđić, we assessed that we could physically defend the transmitter and the TV Vračar station, which was actually synonymous with the program of the original B 92, for the longest time on that building.
From April 3, 1999, when we were expelled from the Youth Center, until October 5, 2000, when we returned there – we managed to preserve the substance of the most professional media team of that time…
No one ever thought of surrendering…
This recording of the news program is the best proof of a professional program that is broadcast in circumstances where the original Radio B 92 is off the air but can be heard through the ANEM network in over 90 entities that transmit B92 programs in various ways…
Sanda Savić, Danijel Bukumirović, Svetlana Lukić, Danica Ilić, Toma Grujić, Zoran Penevski, and all others who appear as actors in this October 5 radio episode, wherever they are today, remain part of the values of a program that was impeccably produced amidst the overthrow of the criminal Slobodan Milošević from power.
At the end of the news broadcast, Sanda repeats the frequencies that change daily due to the mentioned disruptions…
The spirit that still resonates from this news broadcast, even 22 years later, is fascinating.
There is not a trace of hysteria, not a trace of fear, and there is no sign of hesitation in the approach, even though we are all in different positions…
As I was a prominent target of surveillance, I was in a secluded position that was only visited once by Miša Glenny, a BBC journalist…
I had two more positions where I could hide without anyone knowing, as well as a series of other positions for other leading people…
It was all so important to remain professional in the most dramatic moments, like Sanda, Ceca, Danijel, Timofejeva, Peneta, Daša…
***
This professionalism, sacrifice, faith, ability for self-defense, was forgotten and suppressed as early as October 6…
A huge legacy was consistently erased from the political sphere, all stories about our crimes, reconciliation, facing the past… precision and sharpness in professionalism in the most dramatic moments…
In this radio news program, there was not a single superfluous word, not a single spin…
The magnificent Radio B 92 from its best days.
Glory to those who created a miracle…
Source: Public service
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