Two European Parliament members have raised concerns over the financial collapse of Bosnia and Herzegovina's public broadcaster BHRT, warning that its potential shutdown threatens media pluralism and the country's EU accession prospects. In a written question submitted on 9 April 2026, Delara Burkhardt (S&D, Germany) and Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE, Netherlands) asked the European Commission to outline steps under enlargement policy to address the broadcaster's funding shortfall and support independent public service media.
The MEPs note that BHRT carries debts of around €51 million, including €11.5 million owed to the European Broadcasting Union, and faces possible bank account freezes that could halt broadcasting and salary payments. They point to disputes over licence fee revenues, with the Republika Srpska entity broadcaster allegedly withholding contributions, worsening the crisis.
The question contains concrete financial figures and a clear linkage between media sustainability and EU accession criteria. It asks the Commission to assess risks to media pluralism and alignment with accession requirements, and whether additional measures within the enlargement framework are being considered.
The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal whether Brussels views the BHRT crisis as a serious obstacle to Bosnia's EU path and whether it plans to use enlargement tools to enforce media independence standards.
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