MEPs Urge Council of Ministers to Enable BHRT Functioning

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - We appeal to the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina to find funds and ensure the independent and unimpeded functioning and financing of the Public Broadcasting Service BHRT, stated today Slovenian MEP Irina Joveva, one of ten signatories of the appeal to save BHRT.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's national TV station BHRT is the only EBU member from BiH, and it has survived war and numerous blockades by authorities, operating under immense pressure from the authorities, the appeal states. 

"Recently, the broadcaster's financial accounts were blocked, directly endangering the salaries of employees and the functioning of BHRT, which in previous years has been reduced, directly endangering the salaries of employees and the proper functioning of BHRT, which has operated under difficult conditions in previous years," the appeal states.

They add that BHRT has been operating under difficult conditions for years, that its employees' salaries were reduced by 10 percent during the pandemic, and that they work with equipment that is 40 or 50 years old, which further complicates work and reporting. 

All of this, they say, affects the psychological state of 870 employees. 

"Given that BiH institutions are blocked, the functioning of BHRT is threatened after 76 years of existence. Furthermore, BiH's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest is prevented due to debt to the EBU. Ensuring the stable functioning of the Public Service is one of the 14 priorities that the European Commission has set for BiH on its European path," MEPs state. 

"We also strongly condemn the statements of Rajko Vasić, as they represent a direct threat to state institutions and as such constitute a call for a terrorist act," MEPs conclude in their letter of support for BHRT.