Brussels Pressures Slovenia to Resume Payments to Press Agency
EU Debates | eudebates.tv
2021-05-02
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The European Commission has confirmed that EU state aid rules are not a reason for the Slovenian government not to pay outstanding liabilities to the country's public news agency, STA. https://eudebates.tv/debates/eu-policies/justice-citizens-rights/eu-debates-media-freedom-in-slovenia-with-slovenian-pm-janez-jansa/ The European Commission on Thursday said that it had approved, under EU state aid rules, the Slovenian government’s compensation of 2.5 million euros to the Slovenian Press Agency, STA, “to fulfil its public service mission”, which is currently hindered by disagreements with the government led by Janez Jansa.
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“Today’s decision will enable the Slovenian Press Agency STA to continue deliver its important public service,” Margrethe Vestager, European Commissioner for Competition, stated.
In January, the government asked the Commission whether its planned state payments to the STA to carry out its activities in 2021 constituted illegal state aid.
The Commission has concluded the payment is in line with EU state aid rules, as it “fosters a service of general public interest and promotes media plurality, without unduly distorting competition”.
Earlier this year, the Slovenian government’s Communication Office, UKOM, faced strong criticism after it announced that it would suspend payment for services provided by STA. UKOM also refused to pay monthly instalments for STA servies for October and November.
It said STA’s financing had been suspended because the agency had failed to deliver documents based on which it would be possible to determine a fair financing arrangement.
As a result, the STA on Thursday said it has been “without state funding granted by law for its public service for the 119th day”.
The agency also claims that all the required documents are available to the government and relevant supervisory bodies.
The independent public news agency was established in 1991. Its founder is the Republic of Slovenia.
Some observers believe Jansa’s right-wing government is dissatisfied with the STA’s reporting and that the government is putting pressure on it to change its editorial policy.
A number of local and international press freedom watchdog organizations have accused Jansa of using the pandemic to restrict media freedoms and make often personal attacks on journalists.
His policies could attract greater international attention in the second half of this year, when Slovenia will hold the presidency of Council of the European Union.
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#eudebates #Media #Slovenia #Press
“Today’s decision will enable the Slovenian Press Agency STA to continue deliver its important public service,” Margrethe Vestager, European Commissioner for Competition, stated.
In January, the government asked the Commission whether its planned state payments to the STA to carry out its activities in 2021 constituted illegal state aid.
The Commission has concluded the payment is in line with EU state aid rules, as it “fosters a service of general public interest and promotes media plurality, without unduly distorting competition”.
Earlier this year, the Slovenian government’s Communication Office, UKOM, faced strong criticism after it announced that it would suspend payment for services provided by STA. UKOM also refused to pay monthly instalments for STA servies for October and November.
It said STA’s financing had been suspended because the agency had failed to deliver documents based on which it would be possible to determine a fair financing arrangement.
As a result, the STA on Thursday said it has been “without state funding granted by law for its public service for the 119th day”.
The agency also claims that all the required documents are available to the government and relevant supervisory bodies.
The independent public news agency was established in 1991. Its founder is the Republic of Slovenia.
Some observers believe Jansa’s right-wing government is dissatisfied with the STA’s reporting and that the government is putting pressure on it to change its editorial policy.
A number of local and international press freedom watchdog organizations have accused Jansa of using the pandemic to restrict media freedoms and make often personal attacks on journalists.
His policies could attract greater international attention in the second half of this year, when Slovenia will hold the presidency of Council of the European Union.
https://www.eudebates.tv/ #eudebates
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