EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre met with the ad interim Director of Romanian Member TVR Irina Radu and Romanian authorities in Bucharest on 13 October, to join forces and look for a way out of the crisis TVR member station is currently confronting.

TVR is facing severe economic difficulties and a high turnover of top management. Both developments are threatening its ability to fulfill its remit to society.

The purpose of the visit was to promote the values of PSM and convince political stakeholders to launch and support a reform process for TVR in order to guarantee its future. During the meetings the broadcaster’s severe financial problems and corporate governance procedures were addressed.

EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre met with the Advisor of the Romanian President Mr Andrei Muraru, the Minister of Finance Mr Eugen Orlando Teodorovici, his team and representatives of the National Agency for Fiscal Administration, with the management of TVR and with Mr Alaxandru-Vasile Oprean, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Culture.

Delentre said “it was extremely encouraging to see that there is a positive change in the approach and the attitude towards TVR. The necessity for TVR to become a truly independent and relevant public service broadcaster was confirmed and we have seen strong signs of support to solve the problems which TVR is currently facing.”

“Public service media plays the role of nation builder and promoter with a credible and trusted voice that serves its citizens and not political or economic interests,” Delentre added.

“TVR is a valuable member of the EBU and should be able to fulfil its role in society. This will require urgent reforms and consolidated efforts of all stakeholders to look for solutions and to ensure good governance and a sustainable financial future for TVR.”