RTVS director Ľuboš Machaj and Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová. (source: TASR)
The Culture Ministry has unveiled how the Robert Fico government plans to obtain more control over the RTVS public broadcaster.
Open for public consultations until March 19, the ministry aims to introduce “new elements” to the election, along with the removal of the RTVS general director and the selection of RTVS board members. According to the proposal, a programme board should also be established to co-create and control the programmes broadcast by RTVS.
“It reminds me of the times of communism and censors,” RTVS director Ľuboš Machaj said about the changes on Tuesday afternoon, adding that one of the goals of the changes is to dismiss him.
The bill is said to be submitted to the parliament in April.
Influence over management and programme
Instead of parliament, the new RTVS director should be elected by the seven-member RTVS board, which would be under the full control of a ruling coalition. The bill also reads that “the board can also dismiss the general director without giving a reason.” Machaj should thus leave the post once the bill is passed in the parliament, although his five-year term ends in 2027.
