Following the resignation of Nenad Ćaćić, editor-in-chief of Radio-Television of Vojvodina’s (RTV) First Television Channel, Verica Batić, acting director of the First Radio Channel, and Vesna Iskrin, editor of the web editorial team, have also resigned. RTV’s new program director, Predrag Novković, said it would be good for Radio-Television of Serbia (RTS) to follow the example of the provincial public broadcaster, stressing that both media organizations must work in the interests of citizens.

Novković told N1 that RTS and RTV differ significantly in their organization, programming systems, finances and influence, but share the same goal of providing professional and responsible news coverage to the public.

“RTS has a much greater reach and influence, and things there are considerably more complicated. I would like these issues to be resolved in the best possible way, above all in the interests of citizens,” Novković said.

He emphasized that citizens who pay the television and radio subscription fee finance public broadcasters and therefore have the right to expect high-quality and impartial programming.

Resignations after years of dissatisfaction

Speaking about Nenad Ćaćić’s resignation, Novković recalled that employees, primarily those organized around the “Nezavisnost” trade union, with support from colleagues in other unions, had repeatedly called for his departure over the previous two years, particularly after the collapse of the canopy at the Novi Sad railway station.

According to Novković, dissatisfaction with the news coverage on RTV’s First Television Channel had existed for a long time, and employees decided to present their demands to management once again under the new circumstances.

“We said that we were dissatisfied with the way the news programming on the First Television Channel was produced, that it was not in accordance with the law, that it was not professional or ethical, and that it did not meet the standards a public broadcaster should uphold,” Novković said.

He added that the employees requested a meeting with RTV’s director-general, who received them and listened to their demands.

Following the meeting, the director-general spoke with Ćaćić, who subsequently resigned.

An agreement was also reached on the proposal to appoint Blažo Popović as acting editor-in-chief of the First Television Channel.

Apology to viewers for previous news coverage

Novković recalled that in previous years, employees had organized so-called “free news broadcasts” outside the RTV building, on the university campus, in schools and at other locations to demonstrate how a public broadcaster should report the news.

Those same employees also took part in producing the 5 p.m. news bulletin, during which viewers were offered an apology for the broadcaster’s previous work.

“We apologized to our viewers because, over the past two years, the public broadcaster — and I really must limit this to the news programming on the First Television Channel — has not been working the way it should,” Novković said.

Will the director-general also resign?

Asked whether RTV’s director-general should resign, Novković recalled that trade unions and certain associations had previously called for his departure as well.

However, he stressed that employees do not have the authority to dismiss the director-general, as that decision falls under the jurisdiction of RTV’s Management Board.

“We cannot dismiss anyone. The director-general can only be dismissed by the body that appointed him, which is the Management Board of Radio-Television of Vojvodina,” he explained.

He added that their immediate priority had been the departure of the former editor-in-chief of the First Television Channel, so that the news bulletin and other news programs could finally be produced in accordance with the professional standards expected of a public broadcaster.

As for the director-general’s future, Novković said the Management Board would make the decision, with further developments expected in the coming days.

MORE TOPICS:

ŽOC CELEBRATES THE STUDENTS’ VICTORY: “I’m happy with the election results in Serbia, and I wish young people all the best!” (VIDEO)

BEHIND BARS, VUČIĆ HAS HIS STRONGEST SUPPORT: His list won more than 65 percent of the vote in prisons!

A VICTORY RESONATING FAR BEYOND SERBIA’S BORDERS: Swedish prime minister congratulates the students, saying: “It is time for democracy and the fight against corruption!”

WHERE HAS REM BEEN ALL THIS TIME?! Dubravka Valić Nedeljković announces debate on Informer and hundreds of complaints that have been waiting for years!

Source: Nova Foto: N1

Google Add Serbian Times as your Google source