Radio Slovakia International

Madaric Favours Return to State Contributions for Public Media

rsi

Culture Minister Marek Madaric, speaking at a news conference in Bratislava on Thursday after meeting President Ivan Gasparovic has given notice of a return to state contributions for the public media. "This could be done via a contract between the public media and parliament," he said. According to Madaric, the contract would define the state media's role, programme orientation and funding. He also spoke about restoring RSI to shortwave although no timescale was mentioned. Television licence fees are set to supplement special-purpose state transfers, which, for example, would pay for the introduction of digital television and radio. "State-owned Slovak Television should become the leader in the digitalisation process," said Madaric. Special audits would check up on task fulfilment and whether money received from the state was being used appropriately, added Madaric.

According to the minister, changes should also be made when it comes to the make-up of both the STV and State Radio (SRo) Councils, in order that this is determined according to professional principles. "According to current laws, people who have experience in the media can't become Council members," said Madaric. In addition, changes in the law should also affect the appointment of the heads of public media, in order to prevent a repetition of a recent case when the post of Radio head remained empty for several months because the Council couldn't agree on who to appoint. Madaric also wants to bring back a special government council for media policy. "The influence of the media on the public is so great that we should pay appropriate attention to this fact," he said. Gasparovic, for his part, proposes shortening the terms of office of both the STV and SRo Councils from the current six years to four years or less. "It would be better if the Councils were changed even up to several times during one electoral term," he said.