From Iceland — National Broadcasting Director Resigns

National Broadcasting Director Resigns

Published December 17, 2013

Director of the National Broadcasting Service (RÚV) Páll Magnússon has resigned from his position today, saying that he does not believe he is trusted enough with the position any longer.
In a letter to his now-former employees, RÚV reports, Páll said that while “by all measurements that we use to gauge [RÚV], their position has never been stronger than now” regarding public trust in the institution, “I do not believe that there is enough public trust in my directorship of RÚV to maintain the position with any effectiveness at this difficult time”.
Páll thanked his co-workers for their eight years together, adding, “Together we have made it through a bank collapse, budget cuts, and a general breach of confidence – with hard work, trust and public popularity in good order. That’s not a given.”
RÚV’s directorship – and Páll in particular – has been under fire since the mass firing of 60 RÚV employees last month, which Páll said at the time was done in response to proposed parliamentary budget cuts to the institution.
Minister of Education Illugi Gunnarsson in turn said RÚV alone was responsible for the firings, as the 2014 parliamentary budget has not been formally approved yet.
There is as yet no word as to who the next national broadcasting director will be.

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