Lawmakers violate procedures: FTV doesn't need saving, it just needs the law to be respected

(Patria) - In public discourse, among other things, we often hear about the operations of RTVFBiH in a negative context. Out of respect for the workers who create programming for all our viewers every day, we have decided to show the actual situation in our TV house. And considering everything they have done to us, tried to do to us, and how eagerly they have tried to obstruct us – the situation is exceptionally good.

Returning Federal Television to where it belongs – sounds like a noble goal. But behind big words often lie small truths and personal vengeful satisfactions. In this case, it is justification for what legal experts call an illegal appointment of the Supervisory Board. Who, with 'sincere intentions,' is extending a hand of salvation to FTV, perhaps, does not actually know the real situation at the television station. Because whoever knows, knows – FTV is not seeking any business salvation, but protection from the illegal political takeover and business-financial degradation that threatens to happen.

And so – let's go in order. The strength of a television station lies not in political suitability but in its credibility. The merit of its work is measured by adherence to journalistic standards, the strength of its production capacities, and the satisfaction of its employees – not by whom and when it has been useful.

In the daily schedule, two-thirds of the programming comes from our own production. News, culture, youth, documentaries, entertainment, sports. Content with an address. With a signature. With an identity. We continue to be the host and rights holder for broadcasting the most important Bosnian films and series.

From war chronicles to contemporary dramas. Along with European and world titles that you follow on our program. Federal Radio still offers what is not interrupted by a jingle: meaning, context, and a voice that does not belong to an algorithm. And federalna.ba and digital channels are not 'ancillary content' – but an extended arm of public interest in the online chaos.

Krug 99 to the delegates of the House of Peoples: Resist the policy of leniency in the election of the Supervisory Board of FTV

Regarding the upcoming session of the House of Peoples of the FBiH and the intention to illegally elect the Supervisory Board of RTV FBiH, the Association of Independent Intellectuals Krug 99 has made a statement. The undisguised intention to radically change the operation of the most professional Public Broadcasting Service in BiH outside of legal frameworks –...

When they say: 'You don't represent all sides,' we answer – We represent no one. We give space to everyone. From the government to the opposition. Left, right, center. From governing institutions to the academic public. The problem only arises when someone expects exclusivity. Their own, conceived in their own party's production. And that – doesn't work. Being equally accessible to everyone does not mean being on anyone's side. It means being a public service.

Salaries at RTV Federacije BiH have increased by almost 25% since September 2024. They are paid on the fifth of each month – on time, regularly, with all contributions and meal allowances. Because order is order. FTV has 297 permanent employees. They are characterized by responsibility and knowledge. Three out of four employees have a university degree, and two-thirds are women.

The RTV fee is collected exclusively where Elektroprivreda BiH is present. In the rest of the country, the law is not respected. Courts ignore lawsuits that are 15 years old. And yet – the biggest domestic and international brands advertise on RTV Federacije BiH. RTVFBiH has no debt whatsoever. But every month we pay half a million marks in rent and services to BHRT. The Public Service of the Federation of BiH is a – tenant. And that is not a metaphor, and in return – premises that leak.

And an unprecedented move – BHRT's shutting down of FTV's signal. And that night, FTV had its Dnevnik (News) which lasted longer, because even though we were denied broadcasting, we, upholding journalistic ethics, broadcast a review of the most important socio-political events that night as well.

And let's not forget. The shutdown of the signal was preceded by BHRT's obstruction of signing the RTV fee collection agreement with EPBiH. With the full support of the ruling party, FTV irrevocably lost almost three million marks. And we survived that too.

Finally, the most important thing – Federal Television looks different.

Nationally colorful. Editorially balanced. Professionally dedicated to the public. Not to parties. Not to bosses. Not to centers of power. Journalistic standards, demandingness from both sides of the story, absence of censorship, self-censorship, and equal representation – these are the principles of our house.

Therefore, FTV does not need saving. It just needs the law to be respected.