Sinisa Boljanovic, Serbian Blogger

Sinisa Boljanovic's Blog

Sinisa Boljanovic is an ethnic Serb who thinks that blogging is an important tool for getting the people's voice heard. His blogs mostly cover what other bloggers are saying about Serbia and media stories regarding Serbia.

While bloggers in Serbia do not face much persecution for speaking their minds, they are an important link in writing about Serbian culture and how governmental policies affect everyday life in the country.

Here is an interview I did with Boljanovic:

How do you think blogging has changed Serbia?

During the last 20 years Serbia became a political, cultural and
social deeply divided country. Serbia change herself very slowly. According
to some unofficial sources there were just few percentages people who are able to
use a computer and Internet. Then it is logical the blogging has changed
Serbia very little.

Do you think blogging is giving Serbians a chance to express their
frustrations with the country and government?

Yes, I do. Blogging is sure one of good way the expressing of frustrations
with the country and government.

Do you know of a lot of bloggers writing out of Serbia?

There are bloggers who write out of Serbia but I could not say how many
bloggers are there. I know some of them.

Have bloggers had an effect on any government policy?

No, they didn't have direct effect on government policy. At least as far as
I know. The government policy directly depends on few controversial Serbian
businessmen. They are monopolists and by corruption of politicians
successfuly block all processes of assocination of the European Union.
Bloggers are infirm in that case.

Do you face any persecution from your government if you blog about them or
their policies?

No, I don't. Although Serbia is still not utterly democratic country, I
think there were not any so case in Serbia.

It is different with journalists of some independence media. That is very
interesting regarding Serbian bloggers criticize the power very strongly.

What do you think are the most important issues facing Serbians?

Yes, without any doubt. Serbian bloggers write about most important issues
(such as Kosovo's issue, war criminal, Ratko Mladic etc.) very very
courageously.

Is the media in your country fair and unbiased?

After the change of Milosevic regime (Oct 5, 2000) the media picture is
little better than before that. However, many media are still under control
the government and suspicious mention businessmen. In other words, many
media are unfair and unbiased.

Are bloggers in Serbia telling a story that the media is not?

There are examples when Serbian bloggers tell stories that media are not.
But they more usual react on the media stories, news etc.