23. 05. 2013

THERE WILL BE TV FEE?

Belgrade, May 23, 2013 (Danas) - As the daily Danas finds out, the state has no money to financially support the work of Radio Television Serbia, because of which the concept of financing of public services with TV subscription fee has remained as an option.

The state will need to secure around 60 million Euros for financing of RTS and 20 million for the Radio Television of Vojvodina from the budget. However, the discussion with the ministry of finance and economy Mladjan Dinkic has changed the likelihood to finance public service broadcasters from the budget funds.

According to the daily's source, the TV fee collection rate has recorded a significant fall after announcing the obligation would be provided for in the new law. The government has then made a decision to financially support the work of the two public service broadcasters until more permanent solution is found.

Up until now, the Ministry of Finance has paid three installments of 1.8 million Euros to the public service, which is, according to the source from RTS, "not sufficient for its functioning".

In the Government of Serbia, however, say that this is just a loan to RTS, not willing to provide any details.