The oldest Bulgarian newspaper in Serbia, "Bratstvo" (Brotherhood), is near bankruptcy after the Serbian government cut by 75% the state funding of the media.

The government funding, which is 80% of the newspaper's budget, was reduced in May, the Pari Daily reported.

The rest of the budget is funded by advertisements and own resources.

"If the current position of the Serbian government does not soon change, and an alternative funding is not found, the newspaper will stop working in September", the Director of the "Bratstvo" publishing house, Neboysha Ivanov, said.

Official data shows that near 25 000 Bulgarians live in Serbia and Montenegro, and they are recognized as national minority.

The circulation of "Bratstvo" is 2 000-2 500, and nineteen journalists work for the newspaper.