RTVS Head Machaj Wants to Meet Heger over Funding of Public-service Broadcaster

Bratislava, August 11 (TASR) – New general director of public-service broadcaster RTVS Lubos Machaj wants to meet Prime Minister Eduard Heger (OLaNO), with Machaj asking for the meeting during his visit to the Government Office on Thursday, TASR was told by head of the Government Office Julius Jakab on the same day. Machaj announced the meeting at Thursday's session of the RTVS Council as part of the discussion on a necessary solution to financial resources for RTVS. "We've received these days funds that haven't yet been released as part of the contract with the state, as well as compensation for lower income from viewers' and listeners' fees. We've more or less ensured funds for the autumn, but the situation is still complicated, as we can't use these funds for the news service." pointed out Machaj. The RTVS chief admitted that as of October there will be a "hole" in the funding of the news service, which is why he wants to meet competent authorities and also prepare a document for the Finance Ministry. "I believe we'll manage to find a solution, because if we don't receive the funds we expect, we'd have to decide for more fundamental economic measures," noted Machaj. am/mcs