Constitutional Court dismissed on Wednesday nine complaints on the parts of the Law on Croatian Radio-Television (HRT) which regulates radio and television subscription fees, saying the fees do not constitute parafiscal tax, but rather a “specific monetary obligation” to access “those broadcasting services which are serving public interest.”

“Ways of financing HRT must be seen in light of its specific public role,” the Court said, adding that the 80 kuna (€10.7) monthly subscription fee “cannot be seen in the same way as a tax or any other public contribution,” and that it is not directly linked to owning a TV receiver, but instead to access to public broadcasting services.

“Only those who buy a receiver and get the option to access broadcasting services which are serving public interest are obliged to pay the monthly fee,” the Court said.

The Court dismissed the claims that, by charging the licence fee, HRT is exploiting its monopoly on the market, or that it is in a more favourable position compared to other commercial broadcasting service providers.

The complaints were submitted in the period from 2011 to 2015.

Law on HRT states that the public broadcaster earmarks 3 percent of its revenue to the fund promoting pluralism and diversity in electronic media, while part of the total annual gross revenue is allocated to the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, a public agency which aims to stimulate a vibrant audiovisual industry in Croatia.

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