Lassakova: Debate on License Fees One of My Top Priorities

Lassakova: Debate on License Fees One of My Top Priorities

Bratislava, March 31 (TASR) – The primary source of income in the current multi-sourced financing of Radio and Television Slovakia (RTVS) public broadcaster as well as one of the key factors to preserve its independence are license fees, new Culture Minister Lubica Lassakova (Smer-SD) told TASR on Saturday.

“The debate on license fees rates will belong among my priorities,” said Lassakova.

The minister pointed that maintaining the independence of public media is currently of paramount importance not only in Slovakia but also in Europe. “In my view, an independent public broadcaster is the one that enjoys sufficient guaranteed sources of financing, regardless of the political decision-making,” she stated.

Lassakova wants to hold a factual debate on the issue and make her decision after carefully considering all facts and opinions of involved parties. “Hence, I’ll certainly take also the opinion of expert community into account,” she claimed.

Lubica Lassakova took over the ministry after her predecessor, Marek Madaric (Smer-SD, 2012-18), stepped down following the murders of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova. Later, the entire government was reshuffled when ex-premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) tendered his resignation and a new Cabinet was formed under Peter Pellegrini (Smer-SD).