The Romanian government has approved an emergency ordinance granting €15 million for TV stations’ broadcasts covering information, educational, cultural and public interest programming.
Quoting a press release, Hotnews notes that it did not say who would decide which stations will receive the funding.
It adds the aid will be distributed in the second half of this year and throughout 2016, which are pre-election and election years respectively in Romania.
It will also come at a time when the country’s news channels – there are five in total, which is more than in France or Germany – are facing serious financial difficulties.
The government says that the state aid scheme will be developed in accordance with European legislation.
It will effectively replace a proposed fund with money levied from TV distributors such as cable operators.