CULTURE Minister František Tóth confirmed to the Hospodárske noviny daily that financing public media from taxes is still at the level of discussions.
"Financing public media through taxes would be realistic only from 2007. In the meantime, political agreement would be necessary,” said Tóth.
Meanwhile, Tóth is continuing discussions with public media directors to try and find ways of better legal enforcement of concession payments (licence fees). If a compromise is found, the Culture Ministry could present the new law as early as autumn of this year.
Media experts warn that financing public media outlets through the state budget may threaten editorial independence.
Compiled by Magdalena MacLeod from press reports
TheSlovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the informationpresented in its Flash News postings.
