Culture Minister Daniel Krajcer (Freedom and Solidarity (SaS)) says he has prepared a plan for the crisis-hit public-service broadcaster Slovak Television (STV) which will quickly remedy its catastrophic financial situation.
However, he told the SITA newswire on October 6 that before he introduces his plan to the media and the public he intends to discuss it further with coalition partners and experts. “I cannot allow the devastation of this significant institution, which has been operating in Slovakia for 54 years, to continue,” Krajcer said.
He said he would present his plan for the ailing broadcaster next Tuesday, October 12. Krajcer said recently that he supports the co-existence of public-service media alongside commercial media in the market. Nevertheless, he said a change in the funding structure of public-service television and radio broadcasters was inevitable.
STV is expected to generate a loss of €17 million this year in spite of getting €12.5 million from the government for production of programmes based on a contract with the state. This year’s budget, as agreed by the STV Council, assumes a state subsidy which has never been promised.
Source: SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
7. Oct 2010 at 14:00