Discussion on Public RTV System: HDZ MPs in Parliament Boast About Not Paying RTV Fee!?

The Bill on Amendments to the Law on the Public Broadcasting System of Bosnia and Herzegovina, proposed by MPs Amir Fazlić and Mirsad Đonlagić, was before the MPs of the Parliament today, Patria reports.

Nikola Lovrinović (HDZ) stated that there is no need for this law.

- By introducing these Funds, new confusion is being created, and it is contrary to the Consumer Protection Law. We are just moving from month to month, but this is not a solution. The question of how to reconcile records is now being raised – stated Lovrinović.

It is interesting and scandalous that almost all MPs from HDZ, led by Borjana Krišto, said they do not pay the RTV fee. Kožul even stated in his address that his voters had asked him to do so!?

We remind you that, in order to prevent the collapse of the public RTV system, primarily BHRT, representatives of SDA and SBB in the legislative power of Bosnia and Herzegovina proposed amendments to the Law that would enable stable and sustainable financing. Their proposal is in line with previous solutions but offers innovations.

The proposed amendments would not limit the fee collection system in time. It was proposed that RTV fee revenues be paid directly into a single account, and then distributed to FTV, RTRS, and BHRT in the ratio of 25, 25, and 50 percent.

In order to overcome the crisis faced by the public service of BiH, it was proposed that, in addition to public broadcasters, BH Telecom and cable broadcasters be included in the financing. This would collect funds that would enable the functioning of the public BH service until the funds responsible for collecting the RTV fee are established.

Amir Fazlić, as one of the proposers, said that they accept amendments but that the deadline for action should be shortened. Šefik Džaferović (SDA) emphasized that this issue should be resolved by June 30.

- Eyes are rightfully turned to us when it comes to the future of public broadcasters. If we don't do it, I don't know what could happen. On June 27, it should be decided in the second reading, so the amendment phase should be shortened. This is not a permanent solution, but it should resolve the current situation – says Džaferović.

He added that he knows there are party disagreements, but that they should be put aside.

- This is the moment when we need to find a solution. It is true that the System Committee determines the collection system, but it cannot do so without a legal solution. That is why we need this law. Let's give this law a chance today to be adopted in the first reading, let's sit in the Committee and agree so that we have the final law on June 27 – says Džaferović.

Aleksandra Pandurević (SDS) stated that it is evident that we have a problem, but she criticized the work of RTRS.

- We have one public service that lies, as the Commission established today. Even the colleagues who oversee that work see it. Is that public service serving to endanger, if not the entity, then the state? I do not pay the RTV fee because I do not want to have such a service – said Pandurević, reading some headlines from RTRS that have appeared on this broadcaster in the last two days.

She added that she will not support this proposal and that it should be determined whether the Public Service is truly working in the service of the citizens.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, Mladen Bosić, said that a part of the citizens of BiH, due to the editorial policy, does not feel the public service as their service. As he said, in RS, it is the opposition because RTRS serves as a propaganda machine for the authorities in that entity, and in FBiH, it is mainly members of the Croatian people.

- There are parts of BiH where nothing is done against people who do not pay the fee, and there are also parts like Brčko District where you get forced collection within two months – said Bosić, reiterating that the public service is not functioning for all citizens.

- Why should we pay someone who is working against us – asked Bosić.

Mirsad Mešić from SDP said that today the impression is that the ruling coalition has taken the opposition's job, given the discussion within the ruling parties.

Denis Bećirović from SDP said that they will support the proposal of SDA and SBB.

- If this proposal does not pass today, I call on the High Representative to react – said Bećirović.