BHRT again asks Schmidt to intervene urgently: Use your powers as in the Viaduct case

(Patria) - Radio Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHRT) today, for the second time this month, called on High Representative Christian Schmidt to resolve the issue of this public broadcaster's debts to domestic and foreign suppliers, as well as the debt for employee contributions.

The High Representative was asked to use his powers, as in the Viaduct case, and urgently make a decision on transferring funds from the BiH current budget reserve for 2025 to settle BHRT's aforementioned debts.

"As is generally known, BHRT has been held hostage by political blockades, the ignorant attitude of the founders, and the executive authorities for many years. Due to the situation BHRT finds itself in, not through its own fault, we addressed you with a letter dated 8.12.2025 and requested your urgent action, considering the powers at your disposal, as well as the fact that the establishment of BHRT began with the decision of the High Representative, and concluded with the adoption of the Law on Public RTV Service in the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH in 2005.

Today, 20 years later, BHRT operates in much more difficult and risky conditions that could lead to its shutdown. As we have emphasized several times, the solution is clear and feasible, but it requires urgent and decisive action.

Unfortunately, the inaction of the competent authorities, i.e., the passive attitude regarding BHRT's problems, not only endangers the Public Service but also BiH's European path, as well as many other media and institutions.

Your Office also pointed out that solving this problem is the task of the BiH authorities in its response to FENA's inquiry dated December 10, 2025, which stated: 'Authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina must act without delay and resolve the most urgent challenges threatening BHRT's survival, primarily the outstanding debt to the European Broadcasting Union.'

Unfortunately, today is 24.12.2025, and the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to refuse to solve BHRT's problem, justifying their inaction with arguments that are completely unfounded, which you are surely aware of.

Therefore, considering that the budget year ends in a few days, we call on you to, using your powers, as in the Viaduct case, urgently make a decision on transferring funds from the BiH current budget reserve for 2025 to settle BHRT's debts (debts to domestic and foreign suppliers, debt for employee contributions).

Another solution would be for you to authorize the Deputy Minister Muhamed Hasanović, instead of the BiH Minister of Finance Srđan Amidžić (who boasted on RTRs that he successfully excluded BHRT and seven cultural institutions at the state level from this year's budget), to implement the spending of funds from the current budget reserve.

The absence of political will and the lack of systemic solutions have brought BHRT to this situation, which is why there is a possibility that the public will be left without objective and impartial reporting, especially considering the seriousness of the situation in the media scene in BiH and the increasing number of media outlets operating under very specific political agendas, often strengthening the influence of foreign countries and their interests.

We must not allow the citizens of BiH, who have supported the work of the BiH Public Service for years by paying the RTV fee, to bear the consequences of this problem.

Therefore, we call on you once again to recognize the seriousness of the moment and the responsibility you have towards all citizens and the future of the media space in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

BHRT's role in ensuring freedom of information, pluralism of opinion, and democratic values cannot be overlooked, and the potential shutdown of BHRT would represent an irreparable loss not only for the media community but also for society as a whole.

We expect you to take all available measures, i.e., make a decision to prevent further escalation of this crisis and ensure the smooth functioning of the BiH Public Service, as one of the 14 main conditions on BiH's path to EU accession," reads the letter signed by acting General Director of BHRT Belmin Karamehmedović.