EBU hails Slovenia public broadcasting referendum result

The EBU has welcomed the result of a recent national referendum in Slovenia which looks set to safeguard the independence of public broadcaster RTVSLO.

62.8% of voters in the referendum supported amendments to a new law governing RTVSLO that aims to eliminate the direct influence of politicians on the public broadcaster’s governance. The law proposes a restructuring of the two current governing councils into a single supervisory body whose 17 members will be appointed and composed of representatives from civil society and RTV SLO employees. The National Assembly, which currently appoints the majority of members, will in future play no role in appointing members to the supervisory body.

The amendments to the law were initiated by Slovenia’s new coalition government and come after a period of unrest at RTVSLO that includes strikes lasting over 100 days. The EBU said the proposed reform of RTVSLO is in line with “international best practice”. It expressed its hope that the vote will “improve safeguards for the institutional autonomy and editorial independence of public service media in Slovenia.”

The EBU also urged the current constructive debate on public service broadcasting in Slovenia to continue and “extend to securing stable, adequate and independent funding of this important democratic institution”.