Meeting in Thessaloniki, Greece, the EBU
Administrative Council received alarming news on developments in
Kosovo which give reason for fearing the worst for the future of
public broadcasting in general and the existence of RTK in
particular.
The EBU was instrumental in setting up and
developing RTK. According to all reports, from different sources,
RTK today fulfils the traditional role of a European-type public
service broadcasting organization, to the best of its ability under
the existing economic circumstances. Beyond that, it has earned
itself international recognition and respect. A recently-concluded
agreement of cooperation between the EBU and RTK assures the latter
of continued support from the EBU and its Members, in all relevant
domains.
This encouraging and promising state of
public service broadcasting in Kosovo now appears to be under
serious threat, owing to a draft Law which, if adopted, would
remove the economic basis on which RTK needs to be able to operate.
As a result, RTK would be doomed -at best- to being marginalized
and to serving as a mere alibi for public service or -at worst-
simply being shut down within the foreseeable future.
