B92.net

• From the beginning (1995) one of the most popular web sites in the region.

• Since 2003, number one in Serbia.

• Daily average for May, 2007, is over 130,000 unique visitors and numbers of pageviews per day exceeds one million (StatCounter.com)

• According to official worldwide data (alexa.com) B92.net is at number 1,365

Why Internet(1995)

• Stay in touch with our audience

• Send information outside of Serbia

• Survive

Post conflict situation

• Need for discussions

• Truth, responsibilities, reconciliation

• Birth of Forum – first 100% interactive platform – predecessor of B92 VIP Blog

• Platform was not unique but B92 created a unique community.

• Main criteria - quality and civilized interaction

Why VIP Blog

• Very Important Place• Anyone can be a blogger• Why not a public person ??• Formula for a successful blog:

– Quality community => Q texts => Q discussions

• Opinion worth other people reading• Opinion elite read B92.net • Now they have opportunity to write on their

favorite web site.• Like anyone else

Community(key to success – it’s not your software)

• B92 Brand is unique => community is unique• It is not by accident => you must have a vision of your community• You are the one who select people for your party• They can call their friends but party breakers are not welcome.• B92 VIP bloggers create core of community

– We know their profile– They share our values– They have authority– They have the capacity to mobilize & influence

• Now we are expanding core community by consensus of majority• Quality & loyal community:

– Permanent communication between all layers– Open and transparent approach– Consistency – Mutual respect

Free or not too free(the question of moderation)

• The most delicate issue• Even more in the region like ex-Yu• Even more in Serbia where we have 45% of Radical Party voters • Even worse when people use false identity• Simple rule:

– You are free as long as your freedom doesn’t harm freedom of another user

– Authors are the judges – B92 is the supreme court – Shape your community not their content

• Yes, we are subjective – who isn’t • We can’t protect our community without norms• There will be no difference between us and Stormfront.org

Values

• Very basic things :– Civilized speech– Freedom of speech – Acceptance of European regulations and standards.– Peaceful resolution of all conflicts – Natural rights of life, liberty and property – Civil rights - minority groups (racial, ethnic, sexual,

disabled)– Openness against xenophobia – Animal protection .....We call that NORMAL LIFE FOR NORMAL PEOPLE

What have we done

• Natural environment for activism

• Strong potential for mobilization

• Many initiatives in the field of civil rights

• Permanent pressure on authorities

• Public reminder on unsolved crimes

• Demand for normal life and modern Serbia

Blog and other media

• Search for controversy• It has definitely become too serious• Rumours but scepticism too• New guy on the block • Different style• Urban and progressive• They are trying to stay cool but can’t take their

eyes off it• They are getting hooked by time• Trying to do something about it

.........

Future unknown

but

interactive for sure