June 27 1999 - the regime continues to squeeze the independent media:

• The independent Parliament newspaper, one of the most influential independent publications in Sandzak has been fined 135,000 dinars (approximately 13,000 DM) under the Serbian Public Information Act. The justification for the conviction claims that the newspaper's masthead did not contain the name of its editor-in-chief. The fine is to be paid within 24 hours, under threat of confiscation of Parliament's assets. ANEM fears that the newspaper will cease publication. The Serbian Public Information Act has already resulted in the a number of media outlets closing down.
• RTV Devic (ANEM affiliate) in Smederevska Palanka was banned with the justification that it had not paid the fee for the use of its frequency. RTV Devic also tendered in the February 1998 frequency competition and, despite the fact that it met all requirements, has not been granted a licence. It has, nevertheless, been asked to pay fees for the use of its frequency. The justification for the ban includes the claim that the Decree on the fee obliges all stations tendering for a frequency to pay the fee. This claim is not correct.(June 22)
• Radio VK Kikinda (ANEM affiliate) was closed down with the justification that the station was operating without a licence. This is the third time the authorities have closed the station. As on the two earlier occasions, the banning order is illegal as the ministry has not taken into account the fact that the station met all requirements in the February 1998 frequency competition and remains unlicensed only because of the authorities' discriminatory attitude. On the day the banning order was received, the station also received invoices for the use of the frequency, despite having been banned over the period covered by the invoice. The station's founder and owner, Mr Zoran Milesevic, alleges that the equipment seized from the station has been given to Radio Television Serbia.(June 22)