"In our opinion, Jozef Darmo changed STV's direction from its strong confrontational attitude."
Jerguš Ferko, STV Council deputy charirman
Jozef Darmo, STV's general director, did not halt the station's "chaotic rationalization."Daniel Borský
In a secret vote on October 29, the governing board of state-run Slovak Television (STV) approved a proposal to dismiss Jozef Darmo as the station's general director.
The private station Radio Twist reported that over several months STV's council had "comprehensively evaluated" Darmo's activities since he took his post at STV, and will now formally submit to Parliament their proposal that he be dismissed. There was no date given when that may happen.
Darmo was appointed STV's general director shortly after the government formed by Prime Minister Vladimír Mečiar took office in December 1994. The deputy chairman of STV's council, Jerguš Ferko, was quoted as saying the council's decision showed "dissatisfaction with certain things in Slovak Television not developing to the benefit of the public."
XXIn an interview with the Slovak daily Slovenská Republika, Ferko gave more insight into why Darmo may be dismissed. "In our opinion, Jozef Darmo changed STV's direction from its strong confrontational attitude," the deputy chairman said. "He was unable to stop the process of chaotic rationalization that is being done without set criteria."
Ferko continued: "Also, STV's financial situation is not pleasant. Darmo didn't manage to lobby successfully in Parliament to get more money for STV. After Albanian TV, STV is the poorest station in Europe."
While Ferko told Slovenská Republika that he didn't want to name any names, STV's council would discuss nominating a new candidate or the job at its next session on November 4. There are currently "three to four potential candidates," Ferko said.
Compiled by Tom Reynolds from ČTK and Slovenská Republika.
