Belgrade public broadcaster Studio B, the Serbian capital's top media outlet and a symbol of resistance to late strongman Slobodan Milosevic's propaganda in 1990s, was put up for sale Thursday. The Balkan country's privatisation agency published a tender offering the state's 100 percent stake for a starting price of 530,000 euros ($593,000). Interested buyers should submit their offers by July 27.
Founded in 1970 as a radio station, Studio B launched a television channel in 1990 and distinguished itself by its independent reporting during the autocratic rule of Milosevic and the wars that tore Yugoslavia apart in 1990s. The sale is first step in what is supposed to be a complete state withdrawal from media ownership in Serbia, as part of its adjustment to European Union standards. It hopes to become a member of the bloc by 2020.
Some 80 state-owned media outlets, including the national news agency Tanjug and the oldest daily newspaper Politika, should be privatised by July 1 in accordance with the media law. However, Serbia's Culture and Information Minister Ivan Tasovac hinted that the deadline for privatisation could be extended by several months.