Authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina must prevent financial collapse of Public Service Broadcasters, OSCE media freedom representative says

VIENNA, 22 December 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today urged the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to immediately address the long-standing issue of funding for the country’s public broadcasting system.

“For far too long the public broadcasting system has faced multiple obstructions stemming from the failure to implement relevant legislation,” Mijatović said. “The Council of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly must immediately find a sustainable system for funding.”

The current system for collecting taxes via telephone bills to pay for the Radio and Television (RTV) service expires on 31 December 2015. With no replacement system in place, the nationwide Radio and Television of BiH (BHRT), and the public broadcasters in the country’s two entities – Radio and Television of the Federation of BiH (RTV FBiH) and Radio and Television of Republic Srpska (RTRS) – face financial collapse.

“The failure of the public broadcasters to fully implement the relevant laws and the non-existent progress in the internal restructuring have also contributed to the financial instability of the system,” Mijatović said.

During her official visit to BiH in July this year, the Representative called on the authorities to ensure that the tax for RTV services is collected efficiently in order for the public service broadcasting system to be financially sustainable (the public statement is available at www.osce.org/fom/170026).

In 2013, the Representative commissioned a legal analysis on the laws relating to the public service broadcasting system. The recommendations, which remain relevant and are yet to be implemented, stressed the need to:

• Ensure necessary financial means for public service broadcasters;
• Establish mechanisms for regular reviews of broadcasters’ financial needs;
• Provide public funds to enable broadcasters to operate in the digital environment.

The recommendations also stated that the RTV tax should be set following consultations with the public service broadcasters to reflect the financial means needed to fulfill the public service remit (the full legal review is available at www.osce.org/fom/94107).

“I am also closely monitoring the process of the appointment of the Director of the Communications Regulatory Agency, which has been stalled for many years and contributed to the uncertainty,” Mijatović said. “It is essential that the process is conducted in accordance with, and with full respect of, the Communications Law.”

The Representative’s previous statements on this issue are available at www.osce.org/fom/150191, www.osce.org/fom/98719 and www.osce.org/fom/94212.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.