SARAJEVO, Nov 4 (Hina) - The Independent Media Commission (IMC) in Bosnia-Herzegovina will start issuing long-term broadcast licences for radio and television stations in the country. The introduction of new licences is aimed at
ordering the country's media sector, IMC general director Krister Thelin told reporters in Sarajevo on Thursday. Thelin reminded that in the first phase of its work, the IMC had issued temporary licences for 272 stations in Bosnia and practically every radio and TV station which submitted adequate applications received a positive answer. The long-term licences, which will be issued for a period of two to five years, instead of the current six months, will also envisage the application of much higher criteria necessary for continuing the broadcasting. Thelin said the latest move was aimed at freeing the media of the political pressure, supporting the establishme
SARAJEVO, Nov 4 (Hina) - The Independent Media Commission (IMC) in
Bosnia-Herzegovina will start issuing long-term broadcast
licences for radio and television stations in the country. The
introduction of new licences is aimed at ordering the country's
media sector, IMC general director Krister Thelin told reporters in
Sarajevo on Thursday.
Thelin reminded that in the first phase of its work, the IMC had
issued temporary licences for 272 stations in Bosnia and
practically every radio and TV station which submitted adequate
applications received a positive answer.
The long-term licences, which will be issued for a period of two to
five years, instead of the current six months, will also envisage
the application of much higher criteria necessary for continuing
the broadcasting.
Thelin said the latest move was aimed at freeing the media of the
political pressure, supporting the establishment of a healthy
media market, securing respect for universal professional
standards and establishing a single system of licence fees.
According to IMC regulations, special attention will be paid to the
operation of public radio and television stations.
The stations will have to secure complete transparency of their
financial operations, which is currently not the case, Thelin said,
adding programmes will be supervised by special editorial
councils.
Almost one half of all electronic media currently broadcasting
programmes in Bosnia-Herzegovina are considered to be public but
they are lacking financial transparency, especially those stations
operating on municipal or regional levels.
The IMC general director said many radio and TV stations would
probably not be able to meet the new criteria and would have to be
shut down.
Commenting on the issuing of a broadcasting licence to the Mostar TV
station "Erotel", which allows the use of only 11 transmitters,
Thelin said it was now up to "Erotel" to make a decision.
"Erotel" can accept such a licence or refuse it but if they refuse it
they won't have the right to broadcast any more, he said.
Thelin confirmed the transmitters the Mostar television had been
using so far would be given to the Radio Television of the
Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
(hina) rml