New Delhi: In a controversial move, Slovakia’s parliament has passed legislation reshaping the landscape of public media, a decision that critics say jeopardizes press freedom in the country. The new law, endorsed by lawmakers in Bratislava, empowers the ruling coalition to handpick candidates for the governing bodies of Slovak public television and radio starting July.
The initiative, championed by Prime Minister Robert Fico, comes amidst heightened anti-media sentiment following an assassination attempt on the premier last month. Fico, attributing the hostile environment to media and opposition forces, has consistently lambasted press coverage in Slovakia, accusing it of bias against his administration.
“The public media fail to provide objective reporting as they conflict with the Slovak government,” Fico asserted in April when proposing the legislation, claiming it infringes on citizens’ rights to impartial information.
Critics argue that the government’s overhaul of media extends beyond public broadcasters, citing pressures on private outlets reminiscent of policies seen in neighboring Hungary. The prime minister’s support for “alternative” media outlets, which echo his narratives while shunning critical viewpoints on pandemic policies and international affairs, has also raised alarms among press freedom advocates.
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Journalists within Slovakia have decried what they describe as “Orbanization” of the media landscape, drawing parallels to Hungary’s controversial media controls under Viktor Orban. Recent public protests and accusations from prominent figures within private media circles further underscore growing unease over the government’s influence on press freedom.
The opposition has condemned the legislative changes, arguing they serve partisan interests rather than the public good. Meanwhile, the current leadership of the public broadcaster has expressed dismay, denouncing the government’s moves as a deliberate effort to assert control over media content.
International watchdogs like Reporters Without Borders have criticized the Slovak government’s actions, warning they could violate European standards for media freedom. Slovakia’s slip in global press freedom rankings since Fico’s return to power in October has also drawn scrutiny from European Union officials.
The prime minister’s tenure has been marked by controversy, including protests against reforms to the criminal justice system and the disbandment of a special prosecutor’s office. Fico’s previous term ended abruptly amid public outcry over the murder of an investigative journalist, an incident that ignited widespread calls for reform within Slovakia’s media landscape.
With concerns mounting over the future of media pluralism in Slovakia, experts like Pavol Szalai from Reporters Without Borders emphasize the pivotal moment facing the country’s press freedoms. “The battle in Slovakia is over the preservation of a pluralistic and unbiased media environment,” Szalai cautioned, highlighting the broader implications of the government’s recent actions.
