Veran Matic: No official document has reached us nor were we informed in any other way. I learned about developments from Dragan Kojadinovic at 5 in the morning. During the raid on offices, two journalists preparing tomorrow's features were in the newsroom. They were taken to the first floor kitchen and kept there until 9:30 a.m. together with several journalists from Blic.
Have you tried to learn what was happening to them or enter your offices?
They refused to communicate with us in any way. Two of our colleagues managed to enter the building. One of them introduced himself as an electrician, while the other said she was a refugee. But they were not allowed to go to the 15th floor where our newsroom is located.
Do you know what happened to the station's equipment
I have no idea. I have learned that beside troopers there were masked persons who were taking away something packed in garbage bags.
You are experienced in bans and closure of stations. Do things look different to you this time?
The highest-circulation newspaper, the most popular TV station and the most popular radio station were closed simultaneously, which in itself is a precedent. It's obvious that something big is being planned. This is perhaps an introduction in a state of emergency that might not be called by its proper name, since nothing is called by its proper name over here. Or even something more radical is in store. I believe that reactions of citizens, independent media and the opposition would have the final say in the matter.
Are you afraid?
Of course I am afraid, since this regime does not shrink away from anything. But, that's been our everyday life for years now. And yet, such fear does not paralyze a person, we are working as if nothing happened, since in situations like these people become more homogenized, more dedicated to an idea and show more imagination.
by Ivana JANKOVIC
Dragan Kojadinovic: No. Some friends informed me about the event around 4 in the morning, though, as far as I know, the raid took place two hours earlier.
Was anyone in the newsroom at that point?
There were ten-odd people, the night shift. They were not allowed to go home until 11:00 a.m. In the meantime, they witnessed the destruction of their newsroom. They came wearing KKK-like hoods, but our staff managed to recognize them as colleagues from another media house. The attackers smashed doors with picks that were supposed to be used in case of fire, although all the keys were available at the entrance and they could enter without any trouble.
Obviously, they were in a hurry, and that is why everything was veiled in secrecy and they were rushing things. They are increasingly in a hurry, because an increasing number of people is after them.
What happened to your repeaters?
They took away just the Mt. Kosmaj repeater, which is of major importance for Serbia.
Are you afraid?
No, and why should I be? Anyway, all this will wind up soon. I believe all will be over in 10 days.
Have colleagues from other media rushed to help you?
Both foreign (Deutche Welle, Free Europe, CNN, Sky News) and domestic media have offered their assistance. We'll do our best to make radio newscasts.