In connection with the RS Government adopted Information on the activities undertaken with regard to the establishment of the PBS Corporation, EUD/EUSR spokesperson Andy McGuffie said:

“Independent and professional media institutions are one of the most important aspects of a thriving, modern democratic society. In that context, we underline that the finalization of the reform of the public broadcasting system (PBS), which means the establishment of the PBS Corporation, necessary for digitalization, and the strengthening of the current public broadcasting system overall are key priorities. This fact has been repeatedly emphasised in the European Commission’s annual Progress Reports.  

“We urge all actors in BiH to direct their attention and resources to strengthening the independence and professionalism of the current channels in the public broadcast system. This also requires the setting up of a corporate structure for BiH’s public broadcast system and the harmonisation of entity-level laws with the law on Public Broadcasting System of BiH. Furthermore, the issue of digitalization must be addressed urgently. Otherwise it is possible that the BiH citizens may not have the option of watching on their TV screens certain programmes such as Eurovision, UEFA Champions League, Euronews exchange and so on. The whole region is moving ahead on the digitalization front. In short, if the deadline is not met, the BiH broadcasting market will suffer and the BiH customers will not have the same service as the rest of Europe.

“The finalization of the PBS reform needs to result in the development of a functional, editorially independent, cost-effective and efficient Public broadcasting system in the best interest of BiH public and in accordance with EU standards in the field of public broadcasting.”