Avid Acknowledges Journalistic Integrity of Independent Yugoslav Radio and TV Station, B92; Broadcaster Benefits From Donation of Premiere Newsroom Equipment, Training and Support.

Business/Technology Editors

BARCELONA, Spain--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 2001

At the 2001 News World conference, Avid Technology, Inc. today announced its donation of 20 seats of the award-winning iNEWS newsroom computer system (NRCS) (including training and support) to B92, the independent radio and television station in Belgrade, Serbia. The technology gifting acknowledges the admirable work of B92 and honors the station's determination to deliver professionally prepared news broadcasts nationally.

In the event that pending Yugoslav legislation is passed by the Parliament, B92 could face serious technical hurdles in its pursuit to gain recognition as a national broadcaster. B92 believes that Avid's systems will serve as the technology investment needed to help convince the government that they have the ability to transmit professional national news programs - and thereby, qualify for national carriage. Currently, the station is sanctioned to broadcast only within the centralized region of Belgrade, Serbia.

Founder and Editor-in-Chief, the decorated visionary, Veran Matic, explained, "We believe that if our station can be credited as a professional news operation with the capabilities to reach the masses, it will resonate well within a country that is struggling with its democratic appearance." Added Matic, "Avid's award-winning Avid iNEWS newsroom computer system will greatly improve the scope and caliber of B92's reporting. That is especially important now, in light of Yugoslav's pending laws, which have the potential to stifle independent media. We are honored by Avid's acknowledgement and especially grateful of their generous gift."

Despite operating under less-than-favorable conditions, B92 has a remarkable track record of conquering challenges. Over the course of the past 12 years, the organization was banned numerous times for the "controversial" nature of its independent reporting. In April 1999, the station was stormed illegally by a group close to the Milosevic government. Having struggled through more than a decade of rudimentary, underground broadcasting during Milosevic's reign, B92 found the Internet as an alternative medium for broadcasting its "voice of opposition" to a worldwide audience.

"We admire the tenacity and perseverance that characterizes B92's quest for providing free and unfiltered information," said David Krall, president and CEO of Avid. "We're pleased to formally acknowledge their important contributions to broadcast journalism and their dedication to preserving journalistic integrity. The Avid iNEWS systems should go a long way toward enhancing B92's ability to professionally prepare and deliver the news."

The installation of the Avid iNEWS NRCS will replace the station's elementary systems with advanced technology that can facilitate dynamic, cutting-edge newscasts. The new NRCS will elevate the current technical working-practices under which B92 produces its programming. With similar Avid broadcast technology deployed in newsrooms of world-class broadcasters, such as Deutsche Welle, ZDF, The RAI, SBS in Australia, CNN, and various U.S.-based networks like ABC, CBS and NBC, B92 will have comparable technology in place to deliver the same caliber of reporting.

The Avid iNEWS NRCS is the heart of the newsroom, and is relied upon for all production, communication and administration. Built on a legacy of over 20 years of broadcast experience, the NRCS provides a complete working environment for the broadcast journalist. As part of the total Avid Broadcast solution, the Avid iNEWS is a scaleable system that supplies extensive management tools to assist with acquisition, processing, broadcasting and archiving news content. Broadcasters can upgrade to a complete system as time and budget allows for maximum economy.

About B92

B92 is a multi-faceted media house at the very forefront of the transformation of post-Milosevic Yugoslavia's cultural life. In B92's 12-year history, they have grown from tentative origins as a student radio station to become an umbrella association comprising over 250 staff in the fields of television, radio, internet, music, film and publishing. Along the way, B92 has pioneered the use of the Internet as a means of bypassing media repression; won global acclaim for its part in the downfall of a corrupt and violent regime; and nurtured a thriving creative scene in Yugoslavia. For more information regarding its operations and worldwide acclaim, please visit www.b92.net.

About Avid Broadcast

Avid Broadcast focuses on the application of products in the broadcast market, with special emphasis on news production products including NewsCutter(R) nonlinear editors, Avid AirSPACE(TM) video servers, the Avid Unity(TM) for News media network, the award-winning iNEWS newsroom computer system, Media Browse and iNEWS ControlAir(TM) systems.

About Avid Technology, Inc.

Avid Technology, Inc. delivers the solutions that Make, Manage and Move Media(TM). As a recognized digital standard for professionals who Make the world's media -- from video, audio and film to animation, special effects and streaming media -- Avid's products are used to make more television and news shows, commercials, music videos and CDs, corporate/industrial productions and major motion pictures combined than any other nonlinear editing manufacturer in the world. Now, building on its Oscar(R), Grammy(R) and Emmy(R) award-winning heritage in creating content, Avid is extending its reach by redefining how digital media is shared, stored and distributed. To Manage today's increasingly rich collection of dynamic media, Avid provides powerful servers, networks and media tools to help customers search files, share media and collaborate on new productions, both locally and globally. Avid's solutions also empower users to easily Move media, whether on air, over cable or satellite or through the Internet. Like no other media company today, Avid's end-to-end solutions span the continuum of media creation, management and distribution. The company's corporate headquarters are located in Tewksbury, MA. More information about the company is available at www.avid.com.

(c) 2001 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product specifications and availability are subject to change without notice. Avid and NewsCutter are registered trademarks and AirSPACE, Avid Unity and Make, Manage and Move Media are trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. iNEWS, iNEWS ControlAir and Media Browse are trademarks of iNews, LLC. Oscar is a registered trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts, Inc. Grammy is a registered trademark of The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc. Emmy is a registered trademark of ATAS/NATAS. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.