Inspection board finds radio and television regulator abused its powers

According to information obtained by Puls Biznesu, the Supreme Board of Inspection (NIK) claims in its report on the activities of the National Radio and Television Council (KRRiT) between 2001-2003 that the watchdog abused its powers and got too extensively involved in the activities of the broadcasters. Another serious accusation concerns the actions of the watchdog to get involved in ownership structures of the broadcasters. This is further followed by the "disallowed limitation of broadcasters' freedom in terms of program schedules and a too extensive burden to inform the KRRiT about any changes." At the same time the watchdog is very slow in making its decision concerning licenses for broadcasting. Most of the broadcasters refused to comment on the information. "This is all true. Courts make their rulings, while the KRRiT continues its own activities, makes its own policies and creates its own license rights," said an anonymous representative of a television station. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 4) M.M.