The public service Slovak Radio (SRo) and taxpayer-driven news wire TASR have been successful in lobbying for more money from the state coffers. The parliamentary media committee approved the institutions' demands for more funds, the daily SME has reported.
SRo director Jaroslav Rezník is unhappy with the Sk70 million (€1.69 million) that has preliminarily been set aside for the radio. In response to his complaints, the committee members promised to request an additional Sk260 million (€6.27 million).
The MPs also promised to enlarge the sum intended for TASR. Instead of the originally planned Sk40 million (€965,206), the TASR director wants to find SK78 million (€1.88 million) in his agency's pocket.
Finance Minister Ivan Mikloš has had reservations towards financing TASR, suggesting that it should not live on state money but should rather adjust to market conditions.
According to SME, the transformation of TASR, which is a reminder of the communist state news agency, has been planned for several years.
Compiled by Beata Balogová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
16. Sep 2003 at 10:50
