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Apr 30, 20212 min
Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said:
“Today's decision will enable the Slovenian Press Agency STA to continue to deliver its important public service. Independent news agencies play an essential role in news media. The preservation of an independent national press agency in a Member State ensures that news media can refer to a news stream which reports on national and international developments, from the perspective of that country. This contributes to the plurality of media and information sources throughout the EU.”
The Commission found that the operation of STA meets Slovenia's genuine public interest to rely on the services of an independent news agency based in the country and reporting in its language, which covers national news and which reports on international developments, from the perspective of Slovenia. Therefore, STA performs a service of general economic interest, which it could not provide for its national market to the desired extent by its own means and revenues. The funding is limited to what is needed to perform STA's public service tasks, which it has to offer free of charge. An annual external and independent audit is ensuring the supervision of these conditions.
On this basis, the Commission concluded that the Slovenian measure is in line with EU State aid rules, as it fosters a service of general public interest and promotes media plurality, without unduly distorting competition.
Background
The Slovenian Press Agency STA is a State-owned independently managed news agency that has had, since 1991, the public service mission to produce and provide news on Slovenia and the world to Slovenian media and the public.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.61014 in the State Aid Register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. New publications of State aid decisions on the internet and in the Official Journal are listed in the Competition Weekly e-news.
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