The government appointed Ladislav Mikuš as director of the Slovak Telecommunications Office, which regulates the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors, on January 28.
The previous director, Branislav Máčaj, was dismissed by parliament in December, because of what the government called his refusal to accept its strategy for the transition to digital broadcasting.
However, in comments to the media at the time of his dismissal Máčaj hinted that the real reason for his ouster was his refusal to work in line with agreements he alleged exist between commercial television companies and the main governing party, Smer, according to which TV companies provide more favourable coverage of the Government in their news broadcasts in exchange for convenient tender conditions that would keep rival networks out of digital broadcasting.
Mikuš will also have to be approved by parliament in order to take up the post for a six-year term. TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
