Bosnian Broadcaster Accuses RTRS of Misleading Public on Debts

Radiotelevizija Bosne i Hercegovine (BHRT) says RTRS is misleading the public. RTRS presents court cases and financial dealings between the broadcasters in a way that suggests only RTRS is harmed.

RTRS highlights a court ruling where BHRT owes it over 17.7 million KM. This includes debts for radio links, interest, marketing income, and court costs. However, RTRS hides a separate ruling where it owes BHRT almost 15.6 million KM, including interest.

RTRS also fails to mention that BHRT paid RTRS 1.4 million KM for RTV tax collection costs, a sum RTRS has already received. BHRT acknowledges this. BHRT believes all final court decisions must be respected. RTRS finds it acceptable for BHRT to pay these collection costs but not for BHRT to collect RTV tax income.

Furthermore, RTRS misleads about marketing income. It has not followed the legal requirement to pay marketing income into a single account. The Law on the Public Radio-Television System of BiH states BHRT receives 50 percent of net marketing income, while RTRS and RTV Federacije BiH each receive 25 percent. This income should go into a single account without delay. BHRT wants this law followed, ensuring 50 percent of total marketing income goes to BHRT.

The problem is not the law itself, but its selective application. It arises when a broadcaster keeps funds it should pay into a shared account. RTRS falsely claims the BiH Public RTV System Law was imposed by the High Representative. In fact, the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina passed this law with votes from Republika Srpska representatives. RTRS deliberately hides this. The law's duties must apply equally to all public broadcasters.

BHRT asks RTRS to stop selective reporting and political attacks. It wants RTRS to present all facts about their mutual financial claims. When RTRS previously won court cases against BHRT in Republika Srpska, there were no similar campaigns. BHRT respected those rulings. BHRT will continue to push for the full application of the BiH Public RTV System Law. This includes proper payment and distribution of RTV tax and marketing income through the single account.