Bill on Public Broadcaster to Undergo Second Reading
MPs gave the go ahead for the government-proposed bill on the public broadcaster to undergo second reading in a 49:22 vote on Friday. The second reading is due to be held at the relevant parliamentary committee in May.
If only few amendments to the bill are adopted by the committee on the second reading, the parliament might take a vote on it the same month. The ruling coalition promised, however, to stage a public debate on the disputed bill beforehand. While all coalition parties, the SDS, the NSi, the SLS and DeSUS, were in favour of the bill, the centre-left opposition LDS and SD opposed it fervently, maintaining it would enable state control over the public radio and television. The two opposition parties threatened to challenge the act at a referendum should the government renege on its promise to hold an extensive public debate and fail to take into account the opposition proposals. The bill was also criticised severely by the trade union of RTV Slovenija and the Journalists' Association. They believe that the law will subject the broadcaster to whichever government is in power, and rob the public of credible and unbiased reporting.
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