ROMANIA'S TV LICENCE FEE

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) Monday urged Romanian parliamentarians to withdraw or resist a “dangerous” proposal to abolish the country’s TV licence fee. In a letter to members of both houses of Romania’s Parliament, EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre said it was quite evident that proposals from the country’s opposition Social Democratic Party and Conservative Party for abolition of the fee – at less than EUR 1 per month one of the lowest in Europe – would make it impossible for TVR to carry out its role. Ms Deltenre recalled repeated statements by the European institutions that sustainably-funded public service broadcasters are vital to European societies and democracy. She also referred to a report adopted by the European Parliament on 25 November which reminded Member States of their commitment to European standards and of the need for public service media to have proportionate and stable funding.