General Eurovision Discussion (2017)

General Director of the National Television Company of Ukraine Zurab Alasania has announced decision to resign from his position. He revealed the information to the "Media Port" publication. As the reason for such a decision Alasania calls problems with budget cuts.
Alasania writes in his statement:
"The government (through the Ministry of Finance) have included the Eurovision into the annual 2017 budget of the National Public Broadcasting Company.
Thus, out of €42,8 m prescribed by the law for the development of the Public Broadcaster in 2017, the government takes away €16 m for the Eurovision costs, €8,9 m as payment for transmission, €5,3 m by taxing and the city takes €1,6 m through utility bills. Another €4 m a priori goes for international activities (Olympic Games, world championships, etc.).
What remains is €7 m. Authorities, are you serious?
Is that for the reconstruction of 32 outdated, obsolete and outmoded companies? It means zero for production and an average salary of €81 from that remaining amount. Shall we tell the country and the whole world that we are building Public Service Broadcasting after that?"
"The organizational reconstruction and the search for balance between commercial practicability and public needs will continue. Just like Public Service Broadcasting will continue after the Eurovision. But I'm resigning now. Perhaps in this way I might be able to attract attention to the problems with the budget of Eurovision and the future Public Service Broadcaster’s budget.
This act is not blackmail of the authorities, it is rather an assumption that the transition period in the company must be overseen by a person who is more open to compromise, flexible, capable to deal, negotiating conflicting interests and interested parties".
At the moment, it is not known, whether the resignation of Alasania has been already approved by the chairman of the State Committee for TV and Radio Broadcasting Oleg Nalivaiko. In the case of resignation, according to the legislation of Ukraine, Alasania will have to work 14 more days, transferring the work to the new appointed head of the NTU.
Zurab Alasania is working as the head of the state broadcasting company since March 2014.
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