**Students and Citizens Continue Blockade of Serbian State TV Headquarters**
A standoff between students, citizens, and the Serbian state television (RTS) has entered its third day. Protesters are blocking the RTS headquarters in downtown Belgrade as well as its offices and studio in the Kosutnjak neighborhood. The protesters’ main demand is for a new public call to be issued for the appointment of members to the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM) Council or for the shutdown of public service broadcasters.
**No Police Presence, Protesters Unfazed**
On Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, there was no police presence in front of the RTS building. Despite this lack of enforcement, protesters remained undeterred. They used whistles to express their discontent and chanted “Pump it!”, one of the protest movement’s slogans. The protesters’ message is clear: they will continue to block access to the RTS building until their demands are met.
**Employees Fail to Gain Access**
On Thursday morning, some RTS employees attempted to enter the building but were persuaded by protesters not to do so. According to reports shared on social media, the employees “gave up” and received applause from the crowd. This development suggests that the protesters’ determination has been a significant factor in keeping the employees away.
**Programming Adjustments**
The blockade has had an impact on RTS’s programming schedule. The broadcaster was unable to begin its regular morning programming on Thursday due to the occupied access points. In a post on its X account, RTS announced adjustments to its programming schedule, citing “difficult working conditions” caused by the blockade.
**Deeper Analysis**
This protest is not just about demanding changes in the way REM Council members are appointed or seeking the shutdown of public service broadcasters. It also reflects broader societal concerns in Serbia. The protesters seem to be highlighting issues with censorship and control over media content, which they believe have led to a lack of diversity and independent voices on Serbian state television.
The fact that students and citizens are taking a stand against RTS’s operations suggests that there is growing discontent among the population regarding the way the country’s main media outlet operates. The protesters’ slogan “Pump it!” can be seen as a call for greater diversity and inclusion in media representation, rather than just a demand to shut down public service broadcasters.
This blockade has significant implications for RTS’s ability to operate normally, not only in terms of programming but also financially. If the protest continues, it could have serious consequences for the broadcaster’s future operations.
