A task force, advised by the EBU, has been formed to work alongside the new management of Bosnian Member BHRT to help develop a clear mission and vision for the broadcaster. 

BHRT has been tested in recent times by the government’s failure to ensure a secure financing mechanism.

The formation of the eight member group followed two days of strategic meetings between EBU experts including former Vice President Boris Bergant, head of the Partnership Programme Radka Betcheva and BHRT’s management team led by new Director General Belmin Karamehmedovic.

The task force has specialist knowledge of key PSM areas such as programming, production, financing, human resources and technical matters.

Earlier this year BHRT faced collapse amid extreme financial difficulties, a change of management and the failure to meet the deadline for a digital switchover at a national level.

On assuming the helm, Mr Karamehmedovic set up an ambitious programme of reform and approached the EBU for expert advice. Although the broadcaster faces many challenges, Radka Betcheva says there is reason for optimism.

“We can only encourage BHRT to complete the reform process that has begun,” Ms Betcheva said.  “Mr Karamehmedovic has the support of a capable task force, to develop a strategy which will help BHRT rationalise its organisation and work. The recent media coverage in Srebrenica and the visit of the Pope demonstrates the breadth and capability of a dedicated editorial team. The challenge will be to set in place secure financing and efficient work practices.”

In an open letter to the Bosnian government in May, EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre demanded the government ‘respect and support public media'.

Under the laws adopted from 2005 to 2008, Bosnia's public service broadcasting system consists of three broadcasters: BHRT, which is a country-wide service, and two separate-entity public broadcasters, Radio and Television of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Radio-Televizija Federacije BiH -RTFBiH), for the Federation entity, and Radio Television of Republika Srpska (Radio-Televizija Republike Srpske- RTRS) for Republika Srpska.