Culture public discussion at Bratislava Castle focused on STV

Culture Public Discussion at Bratislava Castle Focused on STV A public meeting at Bratislava Castle's western terrace dealt with the current state of culture in Slovakia, almost entirely focused on the situation within Slovak Television.

"Slovak Television undoubtedly carries a significant responsibility for the state of culture in Slovak society. In times of electronic media, public television is the most influential agent in forming and promoting cultural trends, good taste and to a large extent also for education and societal views," asserts the 'Public for Public Service' appeal. A large part of this criticism concerns the STV Council. The appeal further reads, "This catastrophic situation results from the performance by fifteen people nominated by political parties and social organizations."

STV management member Branislav Zahradnik told the SITA news agency that Slovak Television respects the citizens' right to state their opinion on its direction. "On the other hand we question whether this group represents a majority of STV viewers," he said. Zahradnik stated that the STV management believes most of the payers of license fees, the silent majority, support current program developments in STV and do not want a return of programs broadcast in the past under the former directors." STV's management is not concerned about the 'Public for Public Service' appeal, which challenged people across Slovakia for a 15-minute-boycot of STV programs on Friday evening. "We await the results of people-meter measurements. It will show how large is the real group of viewers these people represent," he added.