Slovakia

[SK] Legislation amending and supplementing the Broadcasting Act

IRIS 1997-4:1/19

Andrea Schneider

Institute of European Media Law (EMR), Saarbrücken/Brussels

On 23 October 1996 the National Council of the Slovak Republic promulgated legislation amending the existing Slovak Broadcasting Act. The Act as amended came into force on 19 November 1996.

When the two independent States were constituted on the break-up of the former Czechoslovakia, neither the Slovak nor the Czech Republic introduced a basically new version of broadcasting legislation, but adopted the media legislation of the former federation, adapting it to suit the new situation.

The present Act amends and supplements Act No.254/1991 on Slovak television, Act No.255/1991 on Slovak radio and Act No.166/1993 on measures in the field of broadcasting.

The amendment concerns the composition and responsibilities of the Slovak broadcasting boards (Slovak Television Board and Slovak Radio Board). Candidates for election to the boards may in future be nominated by the National Council Committee, members of Parliament, the Council itself, and professional and citizens' groups involved in culture and the press.

The Act abolishes the vote of no-confidence, which a majority of members of the National Council present could pass in respect of a member of the board, thereby removing him from office.

According to the amendment the broadcasting boards have the task of laying down guidelines for broadcasts and programme structures, and of putting forward an economic and technical concept of broadcasting.