Television licence

Serbia has confirmed the imposition of a new monthly licence fee for broadcasters of 150 dinars [?1.2], together with continued state financing to keep the national broadcasters, RTS and RTV, solvent.

The plan has drawn criticism from media experts, however, who said the independence of the broadcasters can only be ensured if they are financed solely from taxes paid by citizens.

Lawmakers on Saturday approved a bill to regulate the awarding of TV licences to broadcasters late on Saturday. The move is part of the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government’s efforts to regulate a sector that is plagued by debt and corruption. The new law means that television stations would have to bid for 10-year licenses in state tenders.

The bank accounts of the Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina, BHRT, could be blocked any day, due to the accumulated debt of Bosnia's main public broadcaster.

Officials warn that this could disrupt the broadcasting of both BHRT and the main broadcaster in Bosnia's Federation entity, Radio and Television of BiH Federation, RTVFBiH.