The Minister of Foreign Affairs of our country, Elemedin Konaković, speaking about the future, functioning and survival of the two public broadcasters in Bosnia and Herzegovina, recently stated, among other things, that a long-term solution is expected when the management of both public broadcasters, FTV and BHRT, will have people who do as Troika politicians ask them to do. Interesting attitude of one of the leaders of the Troika. A bit worrying too. We requested the reaction of the US Embassy and the EU Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Representatives of the international community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the United States, called on the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to fully implement the Law on Public Broadcasting System.
The Opinion of the European Commission also calls on the authorities in BiH to ensure the financial sustainability of the system as part of the EU accession process.
A sustainable public RTV system should ensure a variety of programs that serve the public and encourage the democratic process, enabling a wide range of views and discussions that represent the pluralistic character of BiH. As we have said many times, the United States strongly supports freedom of the press. Free, independent and responsible media is one of the pillars of democracy, according to the US Embassy.
The Delegation of the EU in BiH notes that free and independent media are the foundation of every democratic country and society. The European Commission’s opinion on BiH’s application for EU membership clearly points out in its 14 key priorities that BiH must guarantee freedom of expression and the media and the protection of journalists, especially by ensuring appropriate judicial processing of cases of threats and use of violence against journalists and media workers, and by ensuring the financial sustainability of the system, public radio and television services.
Public broadcasting services are expected to be independent from the influence of the government and to work impartially and objectively, to be a platform for various voices and perspectives, and to serve all segments of society. Regarding the issue of ensuring the financial sustainability of public broadcasting services in BiH (including three public broadcasters – BHRT, RTVFBiH and RTRS), the EU Office in BiH calls on public broadcasters to resolve their internal issues, and encourages all relevant bodies to act quickly with the aim implementation of an efficient and feasible model of financing public RTV services that will be in accordance with the Law on Public RTV System.
The EU Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina provides technical and financial assistance to solve current problems faced by the system of public RTV services in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the aim of finding a sustainable solution.
In addition to solving the financing issue, BiH authorities must finalize a comprehensive reform of the public broadcasting system, which entails harmonizing the relevant entity laws on broadcasting with the state law and ensuring the political neutrality of the governing boards.
The sustainability of the system of public RTV services in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a key element of BiH’s path to the EU, and we will continue advocating a cost-effective, independent and reliable system that works in the best interest of the citizens who pay for it.
