BHRT suspends major programs amid financial crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina

BHRT financial crisis public broadcaster media freedom Bosnia and Herzegovina

The national public broadcaster of Bosnia and Herzegovina, BHRT, has been forced to drastically reduce its programming due to a severe financial crisis. The broadcaster's bank accounts have been frozen since August 21, and officials state that political obstruction and a lack of support from relevant institutions have left the service without necessary funds.

As a result of the crisis, BHRT has suspended several major programs, including the weekend editions of the morning show 'Jutro za sve' and the afternoon program 'BHT1 uživo'. Dejan Petrović, editor of the BHT1 news division, noted that the station can no longer afford to deploy field teams across the country to cover news.

Staff members have reportedly continued to work without guaranteed remuneration, relying on their own goodwill to maintain operations. The situation has drawn international attention, with Maja Sever, president of the European Federation of Journalists, stating that the organization intends to inform European institutions about the crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Further complicating the financial situation, reports indicate that Radio Televizija Republike Srpske (RTRS) owes BHRT approximately 103 million convertible marks (roughly 51 million euros) in unpaid RTV fees, a debt that has been accumulating since 2017.

Entities

BHRT · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Dejan Petrović · European Federation of Journalists · Maja Sever · RTRS

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 8 SOURCES] The news program can no longer afford to send crews into the field. tip.ba · www.vijesti.ba · insajder.net · n1info.ba · impulsportal.net · +3 more
[● 9 SOURCES] BHRT accounts have been blocked since August 21. tip.ba · tuzlanski.ba · www.vijesti.ba · insajder.net · n1info.ba · +4 more
[● 8 SOURCES] The morning program 'Jutro za sve' (including weekend editions) and the afternoon show 'BHT1 uživo' have been suspended. tuzlanski.ba · www.vijesti.ba · insajder.net · impulsportal.net · tip.ba · +3 more
[● 3 SOURCES] The European Federation of Journalists intends to inform European institutions about the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. tip.ba · www.vijesti.ba · impulsportal.net
[DISPUTED] RTRS owes BHRT 103 million convertible marks. www.vecernji.hr
[○ 1 SOURCE] RTRS owes BHRT approximately 51 million euros in unpaid RTV fees since 2017. www.vecernji.hr