BRATISLAVA, November 3, (WEBNOVINY) — Catastrophic situation in the economic performance of the pubic Slovak Television (STV) is one of the main reasons of plan for a speedy transformation of the public STV and Slovak Radio (SRo). Culture Minister Daniel Krajcer submitted a draft bill on Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTS) to the Cabinet, according to which STV and SRo should merge into a new public RTS. The Cabinet approved the draft on Wednesday with some comments. Parliament should decide on it in shortened proceedings. Culture Minister Daniel Krajcer reasons the shortened proceedings with a threat of considerable economic damage. He justifies his claims with the executive plan and program concept of the STV, where the television plans a 37 million euro deficit in 2011.
Krajcer claims that with merging STV and SRo would save at least EUR 1.65 million for the state. The new public institution should have two branches with independent economic management – Slovak Radio and Slovak Television. However, RTS will be a single corporate entity registered in the Business Register. Its director general, elected by Parliament, will be responsible for its management and development. The second body will be a nine-member Council. The mission of the new director general, who could be elected in Parliament after the law is passed – either in late 2010 or early 2011, will be stabilizing the television’s broadcasting. He will also have to pave the way for functioning of the institution after 2012, when the model of financing the public RTS is due to change. The so-called concessions are planned to be abolished and should be replaced by a single payment from the state budget. The Culture Ministry proposes the law to be effective since January 1, 2011.
The center-right government in Slovakia accepted a commitment to introduce a new system of functioning of public media in its program document, claiming the current situation is not sustainable. Other laws related to broadcasting and retransmission and public funding will also have to be changed.
SITA