**Student Protest Takes a Toll on Serbian State TV**
For the past three days, students and supporters have been blocking the entrance to the Serbian state TV (RTS) in Belgrade. The blockade has disrupted the normal functioning of the public broadcaster, causing significant delays and disruptions to its programming.
On Thursday morning, RTS’s usual live broadcasts were replaced with news from another station’s studio. The day-time news shows and evening news were also aired from a remote location, with some technical difficulties due to the lack of staff inside the RTS headquarters. This unusual setup featured only one anchor in the studio, while the weather woman and reporters provided updates from the field.
The students behind the blockade are demanding either the closure of RTS and Radio TV Vojvodina (RTV) or a new competition to fill the posts in the Council of the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM). This body is supposed to be independent, but many view it as loyal to the authorities. The protesters believe that this independence is crucial for maintaining fair representation of all voices in Serbian media.
**A Commentary on the Situation**
The student protest has highlighted a long-standing concern about the control of public media in Serbia. The country’s media landscape has been criticized for being overly influenced by the government, with many outlets seen as propagating pro-government views. This blockade is not just about demanding changes to the Council of REM; it’s also about calling attention to the need for a more balanced and independent media representation.
As the protest continues, it remains to be seen how the Serbian authorities will respond to these demands. Will they compromise on the Council’s composition or try to maintain their control over public media? The consequences of this standoff could have far-reaching implications for Serbia’s democracy and its ability to present a diverse range of views.
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