Newsroom
Radio FERN receives praise from founders and donors
SARAJEVO 12 April 2001
SARAJEVO, 12 April 2001 - The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Swiss Government, and the European Commission commend Radio FERN for remarkable service to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Radio FERN (Free Exchange Radio Network) ceases operations tonight, after five years of operation. Originally established by the OSCE and Swiss Government in 1996, FERN provided coverage of elections-related information in the early years. By 1998, it had become a more general radio station, providing news, information and music programmes to an inter-entity audience.
FERN programmes changed dramatically in 1999, when FERN became the only countrywide radio station in Bosnia and Herzegovina and shifted to a speech radio format. It introduced extensive interactive and live call-in programmes that engaged callers from the entire country, established substantive information programmes, and provided specialized music formats. It was widely recognized for its award-winning news coverage and its excellent sports programmes. While established and partially supported by the international community, one of FERN's greatest accomplishments was the entirely Bosnian domestic programme base. By the time FERN closed today, it was among the most popular radio stations in all areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The assets of Radio FERN, many of which were donated or owned by the Swiss Government, the OSCE and the European Commission or owned by Radio FERN itself, are to be donated and delivered without cost to the radio service of the Public Broadcast Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The estimated value of these assets exceeds 500,000 KM. Additionally, some FERN staff will become part of the new PBS radio station, Radio 1, along with staff from Radio BiH and Radio RTRS. Through this integration of FERN into PBS, the efforts of the FERN staff and the contributions of the international community will become an enduring legacy for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The OSCE, the Swiss Government and the European Commission are grateful for the exceptional work and commitment of the FERN staff over the past five years, and congratulate them on their outstanding accomplishments.
For further information, please contact OSCE Spokesperson Luke Zahner at ++387/(0)33 292-449.
Radio FERN (Free Exchange Radio Network) ceases operations tonight, after five years of operation. Originally established by the OSCE and Swiss Government in 1996, FERN provided coverage of elections-related information in the early years. By 1998, it had become a more general radio station, providing news, information and music programmes to an inter-entity audience.
FERN programmes changed dramatically in 1999, when FERN became the only countrywide radio station in Bosnia and Herzegovina and shifted to a speech radio format. It introduced extensive interactive and live call-in programmes that engaged callers from the entire country, established substantive information programmes, and provided specialized music formats. It was widely recognized for its award-winning news coverage and its excellent sports programmes. While established and partially supported by the international community, one of FERN's greatest accomplishments was the entirely Bosnian domestic programme base. By the time FERN closed today, it was among the most popular radio stations in all areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The assets of Radio FERN, many of which were donated or owned by the Swiss Government, the OSCE and the European Commission or owned by Radio FERN itself, are to be donated and delivered without cost to the radio service of the Public Broadcast Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The estimated value of these assets exceeds 500,000 KM. Additionally, some FERN staff will become part of the new PBS radio station, Radio 1, along with staff from Radio BiH and Radio RTRS. Through this integration of FERN into PBS, the efforts of the FERN staff and the contributions of the international community will become an enduring legacy for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The OSCE, the Swiss Government and the European Commission are grateful for the exceptional work and commitment of the FERN staff over the past five years, and congratulate them on their outstanding accomplishments.
For further information, please contact OSCE Spokesperson Luke Zahner at ++387/(0)33 292-449.