Macedonian licensing change

Licences for electronic media are to be issued by the Broadcasting Council of Macedonia from May 2007, replacing a system of concessions provided by the government. The change is in line with the current broadcasting law, which came into effect in November 2005, and effectively grants the Council independence. A new law currently being drafted by the government could also see the Council merged with another regulator known as the Agency for Electronic Communications. Meanwhile in Serbia, the Republican Broadcasting Agency (RBA) has announced a January 29 deadline for submissions for regional broadcasting licences. The country’s Strategy of Broadcasting Development envisages the awarded of 28 regional TV and 24 regional radio concessions. (BP)