Postponement of RTV Subscription Reduction

The implementation of the Government’s decision to reduce the RTV fee is postponed. The amount of 80 kuna will most likely be paid until October 1, reports hrt.hr

At that time, Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor will meet again with the management of HRT and also request a restructuring plan. The decision to postpone the reduction of the RTV fee was made after a meeting between the Prime Minister and the acting Director General of HRT, Josip Popovac. After a two-hour conversation with government representatives, the arguments of the HRT management that a reduction in the fee would jeopardize the company’s operations were accepted. It was agreed that urgent restructuring would take place, with plans and results expected by the government by October 1. Regarding the financing of HRT, it was concluded that it should be independent, and the government will submit an amendment to its decision on the fee.

The meeting was substantive and open. The Prime Minister and ministers acknowledged our arguments. We agreed that HRT would proceed with the urgent restructuring program. Regarding the financing model, we generally agreed that it would be independent. The government will now submit an amendment to the decision postponing it until October 1. After that, we will reopen discussions when we assess the future of HRT through a precise restructuring program, and by then a new law that will establish the financing models for HRT will already be in procedure, said Josip Popovac.

He explained that the only condition from the government is to present a precise restructuring plan by October 1, which will also offer a solution for the payment of HRT’s tax debt. He added that there were no conditions imposed by the government. The European Broadcasting Union also emphasizes that a drastic reduction in revenue would cause irreparable damage to HRT at a time when Croatia is concluding negotiations for accession to the European Union. (www.hrt.hr)