Ambassador Visits Radio BU

November 18, 2008

FPS student-journalist Luna Djordjevic interviewing Ambassador Munter for Radio BU (FoNet photo)

On Tuesday, November 18, Ambassador Cameron Munter visited Student Radio BU at the Faculty of Political Science (FPS) and officially inaugurated its resumed operations.

In 2003, the U.S. Embassy provided USD 50,000 in equipment to the FPS to establish the student radio. This project was a joint initiative between Embassy Belgrade and the Department of Journalism at the Faculty of Political Science. Embassy Belgrade provided equipment and training assistance to help establish the station, while the Faculty provided renovated space, furniture, and utilities.

From 2003 until 2007, Radio BU aired entertainment/music programs, news and student related information for the students of the University of Belgrade. The station and its equipment, were also used for the education and training of the Department's students. Due to the introduction of the Broadcast Law, which did not permit Radio BU to obtain its own broadcast license, from 2007 onward it has operated as a training, but not broadcasting, facility.

In order to reestablish communication with the students, Radio BU has come to an agreement with licensed Radio Studio B which will broadcast one hour of Radio BU produced student programs on a daily basis. In order to realize this agreement, the Embassy provided USD 15,300 worth of the additional needed equipment that was installed at BU Radio and Radio Studio B.

The U.S. Embassy recognizes that an important factor in the development of a democratic system in Serbia is the education and training of students, future professionals in media, who will maintain high professional standards. The Embassy hopes that through this donation, the Faculty of Political Science will improve the quality of studies and contribute to the building of a media sector that can assist the democratic development of Serbia.