1.3 Million Bosnians Abroad to Lose Public Broadcast Signal

The BHRT accused the authorities of turning Bosnia into “the only country in Europe which does not provide its public broadcaster with satellite transmission” by failing to meet their legal obligation for the past three years.

Under Bosnia’s law on public broadcasting, satellite transmission fees must be paid from the state budget.

BHRT spokeswoman Sabina Bacvic-Zecevic told Balkan Insight that the switch-off will affect some 1.3 million Bosnian expats.

“Under common practice in Europe, only states and governments are recognised as financers of special radio and television programs for their citizens who live abroad,” Bacvic-Zecevic said.

“We cannot solve this problem on our own and it is now up to the authorities to decide what to do,” Bacvic-Zecevic said.

Some Bosnians living within the country's borders will also lose the BHRT signal, as the broadcaster covers around ten percent of the national territory via Eutelsat satellite.

The unpaid Eutelsat fees amount to some €800,000