24. 10. 2012

FINANCING RTS from the budget or from subscriptions?

Belgrade, October 24, 2012. (Danas) -

Goran Pekovic, member of RBA council

This is a question for the state. Both subscription and budget funding have advantages and disadvantages, and both have been applied in Europe. Regardless which method of funding is opted for, editorial independence of public service must be ensured. I am afraid that any solution would mean a burden to the citizens.

Dragan Janjic, NUNS Vice-President .

Best solution is funding from subscription, provided that chargeability of over 90 percent is ensured. It's not impossible to regulate this issue and ensure better chargeability. Everyone needs to understand that the subscription is not paid for watching television, but for the production of non-commercial programs.

Nino Brajovic, UNS General Secretary

I think that funding from subscription is better option, because funding from the budget will bring government influence on the public service. However, there are mechanisms to regulate this by law that would explicitly provide for solution on separating RTS from the government. In case of this type of funding, there is room for fraud, because of which subscription is certainly a better solution.

Milos Vasic, journalist

I think that RTS should I be financed by itself, in any way. I have nothing against the fee, but I do not want my money taken through electricity bills. They should send separate bills. The idea that public service is funded by deduction from wages is scandalous.