Radio Slovakia International

Radio Slovakia International to leave Shortwave

RSI

The Radio Council approved the new organisational structure of the public broadcaster. The transformation of Radio Slovakia International was a part of the Wednesday discussion on the proposal of new General Director Miloslava Zemkova.

According to the approved document, Radio Slovakia International should cease its shortwave broadcast as of June 30. The transformation of the shortwave broadcast to a part of the Internet service of the public radio will follow shortly after. Apart from the Internet, the program of Radio Slovakia International will continue to be broadcast via satellite. The transformation process counts on redundancies. Instead of a staff of 4, the program of each language section will be secured by 2 editors.

The discussion on the future of Radio Slovakia International included contributions by several members of parliament as well as the RSI editor in chief Ladislav Kubis. According to Kubis, the suggested proposal will not secure quality standard broadcast of the foreign service of public radio as defined by law. Several members of Radio Council supported the arguments against the transformation. Nevertheless, this proposal was passed by a majority in the final vote. The existence of Radio Slovakia International is directed by the state. However, due to insufficient financial support, the Radio management transformed its existence.