Voice-SD Has Problem with SNS's Media Amendment in Current Wording

Bratislava, 20 March (TASR) - The coalition Voice-SD party has raised several objections to the current wording of an amendment to the Media Services Act drafted by its junior coalition partner, the Slovak National Party (SNS), MP Lubica Lassakova (Voice-SD) has told TASR, adding that the party has a problem with supporting the draft in its current form. "We have several reservations about the current wording of the bill, which we won't comment on publicly for now. Our coalition partner has spoken about an amending proposal, but we haven't received any so far. So, we have a problem backing the bill in its current form," said Lassakova. An amendment to the Media Services Act is currently at its second reading in Parliament after MPs moved it there in February. They should therefore make a final decision on it at the April House session. The amendment is aimed at transforming the Media Services Council into a National Media Office. The status of this body as a so-called regulator should be preserved. In line with the draft amendment, the chairman of the office would be elected by Parliament for a six-year term. In addition to the chairman, the bodies of the office should be made up of the vice-chairman and the council. SNS explained that the amendment governs the internal organisation and decision-making processes of the state supervisory body for media services. According to the party, the aim is to "set unambiguous responsibility for the performance of its powers, to strengthen the ability to act and the stability of decision-making practice, and at the same time to ensure a higher level of transparency towards the public". ko/df