RTV has 163 million euros in revenues, but no money to pay salaries.

RTV Slovenia faces liquidity challenges despite having planned revenues of around €163 million for 2026, according to reports. The public broadcaster announced on August 14 that salaries would be paid, followed by honorariums four days later, even though the State Fund had approved a loan of just €9.5 million instead of the anticipated €12 million. This reduction came shortly before the scheduled disbursement, leaving RTV with significantly less liquid funds than expected. According to Resnica, the situation highlights concerns over the broadcaster’s financial management and the broader system enabling automatic funding without adequate accountability or oversight. The issue arose after the Treasury Directorate informed RTV Slovenia that the loan would be reduced by €2.5 million due to upcoming budget adjustments and uncertain availability of repayment sources for previous loans. RTV had initially expected to draw €12 million from the unified state fund account for 2026 based on prior agreements with the Ministry of Finance. However, this expectation was not met, leading to a shortfall in available liquidity. Resnica pointed out that RTV's revenue projections include approximately €109 million from mandatory contributions from citizens and additional funds from the national budget. Despite these figures, the organization’s operational costs alone exceed €100 million annually. The publication emphasized that the problem extends beyond mere financial shortfalls, suggesting systemic issues that allow automatic funding without sufficient responsibility, rationalization, or control over expenditures. As a result, they proposed legislation to abolish the mandatory RTV contribution, arguing that it should not automatically access citizens' funds regardless of performance outcomes. RTV Slovenia's leadership confirmed that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure full payment of salaries on August 14 and honorariums on August 18. They stated that these payments were prioritized, but acknowledged that the decision by the Treasury Directorate has created a liquidity gap of €2.5 million, affecting the ability to meet ongoing obligations. The board highlighted that RTV regularly takes loans before receiving contributions from the RTV fee, which is typically received monthly. This time, however, the Treasury Directorate failed to fulfill the previous agreement, potentially pushing RTV into reliance on commercial banks with higher interest rates. Natalija Gorščak, president of RTV Slovenia’s board, noted that the Treasury Directorate, under the Ministry of Finance, had for the first time not honored a prior agreement. She warned that this could push RTV into a position where it must rely on more expensive borrowing options, increasing overall debt costs. The board stressed that the government, as the institution’s founder, has yet to fully meet its legal obligations regarding co-financing of ethnic programs and music production, exceeding €15 million annually. Political responses have emerged following the scrutiny of RTV Slovenia’s financial situation. Resnica underscored that the core issue lies in the system allowing automatic funding without proper oversight, prompting their proposal to eliminate the mandatory RTV contribution. They argue that the move aims not to dismantle public broadcasting but to prevent automatic access to citizens’ funds irrespective of performance. A referendum on this issue is set for October 11, with voters deciding whether to support the abolition of the mandatory contribution. RTV Slovenia continues to emphasize its efforts to manage finances responsibly while acknowledging the need for further actions to address current liquidity constraints. The situation underscores the complexity of balancing public service obligations with financial sustainability in the context of evolving fiscal policies and regulatory frameworks.