The new Slovak government is now targeting the media after focusing on the judiciary. They are taking radical steps to influence the reporting of public channels, putting pressure on both public and private media outlets. Journalists from the Slovakian broadcaster RTVS recently wore all black to show their resistance to a reform proposal for the public media institution presented by the government. The proposal includes dissolving RTVS and reorganizing it under a new name, STVR, with changes to the leadership structure and programming requirements.
One of the most drastic changes proposed is the removal of the current general director, despite having a term of office until 2027. The new director will be selected by a nine-member council, with four members appointed by the government and five by parliament. The Prime Minister, Robert Fico, aims to have someone in charge who aligns with his interests to influence the reporting of the station in his favor. This is part of Fico’s larger goal of enacting illiberal reforms similar to those in Hungary.
The government has faced criticism from the public regarding these reforms, leading to adjustments in the original proposal. Plans for a program council to control the new channel’s content were scrapped in favor of an ethics committee. The bill will be decided by coalition parties in parliament before the summer, as Prime Minister Fico stated. The attacks on critical journalists in Slovakia have escalated, not just affecting public but also private media outlets.
Concerns about media freedom in Slovakia have risen dramatically according to recent surveys. The pressure on private media, like the largest television channel Markiza and prominent newspapers, has raised alarms among journalists and the public. The situation, while worrying, is seen as less severe than in Hungary, due to Fico lacking a similar level of majority support as seen in Viktor Orban’s government. Overall, the media landscape in Slovakia is facing challenges, but there is hope for maintaining independence and objectivity in reporting.