Quiet Extinguishing
While Radio-television of Serbia (RTS) has been facing criticism for years regarding the editorial policy of its news program and protests from parts of the public and employees, the first decisions of the new management led by director Manja Grčić do not affect that segment. Instead of issues of trust and public interest, changes are coming where the problem was not expected – in the Children's Program Editorial Office.
TL;DR
- RTS's Children's Program has been effectively dissolved, losing its autonomous editorial space.
- The move is seen as a response to the Regulator Body for Electronic Media (REM) removing the obligation for national broadcasters to air children's, educational, and cultural programs.
- Critics argue this change prioritizes viewership over the public service role of RTS, particularly for children.
- The lack of public explanation regarding the 'modernization' of children's programming raises further concerns.
- The institutional vacuum, with Serbia lacking a REM for over a year and a half, leaves public interest unprotected.