By: Peter Jančič (Spletni časopis)
“On the Ministry of Culture, they confirmed that they have indeed prepared the decree for a ten percent increase and announced that the government will adopt it by the end of the month. The RTV contribution, which has remained unchanged since 2012, will thus amount to €14.025 per month per household from the beginning of next year, instead of the current €12.75, according to our calculations.” This was reported today by the newspaper Delo.
In order to ensure more funding through the contribution increase, journalists who had initiated a prolonged strike for a change in government during the previous administration made an agreement with the newly appointed management of RTVS, which has since resigned, before the holidays. When the change of government occurred, the new administration carried out a comprehensive purge, and those who had previously been on strike took over power.
The legal basis for the premature replacement of the RTVS leadership and editors was prepared by the Minister of Culture and President of Levica, Asta Vrečko, who is now also proposing additional funds to be provided by the public.
The new RTVS programming council, which was appointed by the ruling party through a special appointment, has also called for the government to allocate more money through the increased contribution.
As I reported, last year, beyond the budget plans, the government, after discussions between Zvezdan Martić, who later resigned, and Prime Minister Robert Golob, sent an additional five million euros to RTVS for minority programmes, and another ten million euros this year, again beyond the state budget plans. This money was essentially used to cover gaps and pay salaries, with the majority of the funds going to RTVS for this purpose.
The law allowed for additional funding to RTVS only for minority programmes, and thus the money was formally allocated for this purpose. However, minorities did not actually receive additional programmes or content as a result.
The law stipulates that the government can increase the RTV contribution by up to ten percent, but this will apply for the next year if the decision is made by September. A ten percent increase means around ten million euros annually.
The government has ten days left to make this decision.
Even with twice the ten million euros in additional funds, for minorities and with the higher contribution, it is likely still insufficient. Further “measures” for the depoliticised state institution are expected.
Due to resignations and the difficulty in finding new leaders overnight through public calls, the television is currently managed by interim acting officials appointed by the RTVS council. For example, the acting CEO is Natalija Gorščak.