By: Domen Mezeg/Nova24TV.si
The RTV Slovenia (RTVS) Council appointed the president of the RTVS management board at an extraordinary session today. Candidates for the position included Natalija Gorščak, the acting president of RTVS, Mirko Štular, the director of Radio Slovenia, and Boris Tomašič, the director of Nova24TV and Guinness World Record holder for hosting the longest broadcast in history. The session began with a roll call, confirming the presence of 11 members in the hall and four online. The only agenda item was the appointment of the president of the RTVS board. Sixteen votes were cast: 11 council members voted for Natalija Gorščak, four for Mirko Štular, and none for Boris Tomašič. One ballot was invalid.
At the session, Boris Tomašič was also present in the hall. All applications for the position were submitted on time, and the applications from the three candidates were complete, with all meeting the required criteria. This was followed by voting on a resolution and a decision on the three valid candidates. Each candidate gave a brief presentation. Gorščak was the first to speak, stating that equal standards are necessary for everyone. She acknowledged that whoever is selected will face a challenging task due to the long-standing issues at RTV Slovenia.
Gorščak: the increase in the RTV subscription fee is not high enough
She emphasised her focus on creating high-quality content that includes everyone and highlighted the need to motivate and engage many of RTV’s employees in new projects. She also expressed a desire to create a more stimulating work environment, with the BBC serving as an inspiration. When asked about the planned increase in the RTV subscription fee, she stated that the increase was not sufficient to “rescue the institution from austerity measures”. Therefore, structural changes within the public broadcaster would be necessary, which she understands and knows how to implement. Next was Mirko Štular, who believes RTV Slovenia is a key institution for protecting the public interest in media, culture, national identity, and the health of democracy. He emphasised that RTV can offer much more to society. Štular also pointed out financial, organisational, and other challenges, underscoring the complexity of the system. He stressed the importance of “managing change” and highlighted the critical role of the institution’s employees. Like Gorščak, he agreed that raising the RTV fee alone would not stabilise the broadcaster’s finances.
Tomašič: The increase in the RTV subscription fee will not solve the core issue
Boris Tomašič also considered the subscription fee increase insufficient but necessary as a first step. He emphasised the importance of well-planned programming. Tomašič continued by saying: “Thank you for the opportunity to present my perspective on RTVS – to transform it into a modern public media service. I decided to run for this position not because it brings me joy or because I want to be important, but because I am concerned about the state of RTV Slovenia.” He went on to say that the public broadcaster is in a leadership, financial, and organisational crisis and is technologically outdated. He noted that technology is advancing at lightning speed today.
“Today, we should be dealing with matters that will arise in three years, not with things that should have been done ten years ago.” He also highlighted the issue of internal relations within the company. Although he is not part of the organisation, he has heard that relations between colleagues and departments are very poor, so something needs to be done in this area. “I believe I am a suitable candidate because I can handle things differently.” He noted that there have already been many changes and attempts, but in his opinion, those involved in the issue cannot fix things because they are part of the problem. He apologised to the other two candidates, saying they are part of the system, which is both an advantage and a disadvantage.
Insufficient Slovenian cultural production
He also mentioned the lack of objectivity (the other two candidates are either closer or more distant friends with many colleagues). He sees it as an advantage that he has worked in both radio and television. However, he did not make any concrete promises because “he does not know the ins and outs of the company well enough”. If selected, he would conduct a thorough review of everything happening within the company within 60 days, and based on this, the management would prepare concrete plans with specific deadlines. Financial recovery is essential and increasing the subscription fee would only provide temporary relief, but it will not solve the core issue. He also sees insufficient production in Slovenian cultural content and noted that the company is overstaffed, particularly given the current level of production. “This team can achieve much more!”
“Creativity in this house has died due to ideology and internal conflicts,” Tomašič said. “I am interested in professionalism and loyalty to the institution, not which political party someone belongs to. I can bring fresh energy to this house, regardless of how well you know me. I am a person of dialogue and can work with anyone.”
When asked how he would proceed if he did not get along with the directors, he replied, “If I cannot have people around me who will operationally execute the approved programme, it will not work because I will not be able to implement it.” He emphasised that RTV needs radical changes, and “if those changes do not happen, no matter who you choose, you will face the same issues or worse next year, as what is happening now has proven to be wrong.”
When asked what he would do with his position at Nova24TV if confirmed as the president of RTV’s board, he replied, “If I am confirmed, I will no longer be the director at Nova24TV. I am no longer more than a 25% owner of the company, so there is no conflict, and Nova24TV has no business dealings with RTV.”
In response to the question, “Why do you believe employees will accept you as the president of the board?” he answered, “I do not know why they would not. I have been a director in many places, and I have been accepted without any issues. Unless my political beliefs are the problem, then they have the problem, not me.”