EBU condemns call to abolish Bosnia-Herzegovina's national broadcaster

The European Broadcasting Union has condemned a call by the President of Republika Srpska for the national public broadcasting service of Bosnia-Herzegovina, BHRT, to be closed down.

Milorad Dodik last week described RTBH as "a monster living in Sarajevo", and argued that licence fees collected in the Republika Srpska should go solely to the regional broadcaster, RTRS.

But Jean-Paul Philippot, the President of the EBU, of which BHRT is a Member, rejected Mr Dodik's call as irresponsible and counterproductive to Bosnia-Herzegovina's progress.   

                                     

"A national public broadcaster is fundamental if Bosnia-Herzegovina is to have any chance of national unity or cohesion," Mr Philippot said. "Successful public service broadcasters cherish diversity, provoke national dialogue and promote understanding, which are essential to any modern, democratic state."

(Source : European Broadcasting Union)