Commenting on the Council of Ministers’ deliberations on public broadcasting issues in their session today, EUD/EUSR spokesperson Andy McGuffie said:

“Independent and professional media institutions are one of the most important aspects of a thriving, modern democratic society. In that context, the EU has been clear that any discussion on establishing new public broadcasting channels needs to take place within the process of finalization of the reform of the public broadcasting system (PBS). These talks need to focus on the establishment of the PBS Corporation, which is necessary for digitalization, and the key priorities related to the strengthening of the current public broadcasting system and CRA independence – as underlined in the latest Progress Report of the European Commission.

“We therefore urge all parties to direct their attention and resources to strengthening the independence and professionalism of the current channels in the public broadcast system, setting up the corporate structure for BiH’s public broadcast system, harmonizing entity-level laws with the law on Public Broadcasting System of BiH, and to urgently addressing the issue of digitalization.

“Due to the relevance to the EU integration process, any changes to the current legal provisions regulating public broadcasting in BiH are best done in close consultation with the EU – and with full co-ordination with competent BiH institutions – rather than through ad hoc initiatives.”