By: G. B.
Even after a final court ruling confirmed that the “depoliticised” RTV Slovenia unlawfully dismissed Valentin Areh and expelled the Panorama journalists, the public broadcaster refuses to back down. Despite the clearly visible financial consequences of their so-called “depoliticisation,” they apparently believe that taxpayers should foot the bill for all their nonsense.
Today, the RTV Slovenia Council will discuss the draft foundations for the 2026 programming and business plan, which also includes the financial plan proposal. If the state budget allocates €13 million to the institution, as outlined in the proposed amendment to the RTVS Act, the broadcaster will end the year with a surplus of €4,600. But if those funds are not granted, RTVS will face a deficit of nearly €9.5 million.
RTVS management’s financial plan for 2026 anticipates a surplus, provided the state co-finances minority programming and the music production unit with €13 million. This is stipulated in the draft amendment to the RTVS Act, prepared by the Ministry of Culture and already subject to public consultation. Under this assumption, the broadcaster’s revenues would total €158,854,600, with €108,650,000 coming from the RTV license fee. Expenditures would amount to €158,850,000, including €100,675,000 in regular staff salaries.
They have also prepared a projection for the scenario in which the state provides only €2.5 million for minority programming. In that case, revenues would drop to €145,616,600, while expenditures would remain at €155,026,600, resulting in a €9.4 million deficit.
In the draft plan for next year, RTVS management states its intention to establish a unified editorial system that connects television, radio, and digital content teams. They also plan to restructure the institution to improve operational efficiency and productivity.
But all of this sounds like a never-ending saga, as the insatiable RTVS has been practically begging the government for money ever since “ideologically correct” personnel took over. This May, they practically declared a state of emergency, claiming RTVS would cease to exist unless the government urgently provided an additional €8.5 million. Finance Minister Klemen Boštjančič did not seem to agree, stating on the evening news: “It is primarily the leadership’s responsibility to align processes and costs with their available revenues. RTV needs a comprehensive restructuring of its operations.” At the same time, he promised that all public institutions would receive the funds legally due to them.
What stands out is that RTVS leadership is trying to funnel additional millions into its “barn” primarily through minority programming funding, without any guarantees that the money will actually be used for that purpose. Instead, it may simply be used to “patch holes” across the entire institution. As long as budget money is available, RTVS can keep spending it freely, without being held accountable to anyone…