Simic tendered her resignation to the HRT Directorate after the Programmes Council requested the Directorate two weeks ago to consider her accountability for not seeing to the protection of national interests, notably regarding the Homeland War, and professional and ethical principles in the "Piramida" show in which one of the guests was Rade Leskovac, president of the Party of Danube Region Serbs.
In her resignation, Simic said she had done her job honourably and well, in accordance with professional standards, but that over the last year her positions on the concept and function of public television had become increasingly different from those of the Programmes Council, the majority of which she said did not have confidence in her.
The Council relieved her of duty with seven votes for and two against.
Vela will be acting HTV programmes director for a maximum six months or until the appointment of a new director, for which position the Programmes Council has invited applications.