The council running state TV is appointed by parliament. Directors' independence is supposed to be ensured by their five-year terms, but parliament has repeatedly stepped in to show its displeasure. Of eight serving directors today, seven are ruling party loyalists. A new amendment due for a vote later this week might help. It would remove political parties from the appointment process and open council sessions to the public.
Parliament is likely to okay the measure.
But old habits die hard, and the habit of power hardest of all. 2001 Time Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.