Media Study - Medija centar Beograd

The following is recommended:
3.6.1 RECOMMENDATION ON LICENSE FEES COLLECTION SYSTEM
It is recommended to establish a new system for collection of license fees ensuring close to 100 % collection
To the extent that the energy utilities continue to collect license fees to introduce a shared database for all
distribution electricity companies and the public service broadcaster as well to increase efficiency of collections
(interim solution),
To establish a Collecting Company that with public authority collects license fees in line with public utilities to
minimize loss on collection costs and to maximize collection efficiency,
To establish an independent Media Fund that in cooperation with the state administration – Ministry of
Finance and Ministry of Culture – redistributes collected license fees – in accordance with recommendations
for Regional and National Broadcasting as in chapters 2.1 and 2.2.
To change rules ensuring that license fee is mandatory unless consumers can prove that they do not possess
radio or TV sets, mobile phones, computers or other technical facilities able to receive radio, television, and
online public service programmes. On the payment form it should be clearly stated that the money is for
access to reception of media and that the collected money is allocated to the Media Fund.
SWOT Recommendation 1
Strength These provisions could be enforced soon; they would show a quick result and
generate a basis of common approach by the public service media and
government toward funding. This very much in line with the EU best practices
Weakness The solution does not automatically increase the efficiency
Opportunity Introducing a comprehensive collection and redistribution system brings more
transparency and should be motivating for the citizens to recognize public service
in media being valuable for them
Threat High complexity might be a reason for complicate political discussions
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