RSF Suspends Participation in Slovakia’s Press Freedom Advisory Body Over Government Interference

September 11, 2024 – Slovakia – 

Reporters Without Borders (RSF), alongside the Investigative Centre of Jan Kuciak (ICJK), has suspended their participation in Slovakia’s government-backed Platform for the Promotion of Press Freedom and the Protection of Journalists. This move comes in protest against the government’s controversial appointment of Dominik Papala—a radio host with a history of ethical breaches—to the advisory body’s civil society seat (Platform), replacing respected journalist Zuzana Petkova. RSF and ICJK argue that his nomination violates the platform’s standards for expertise, professionalism, and genuine representation.

Initially launched in October 2023 as a watchdog mechanism to monitor Slovakia’s adherence to national and European press freedom commitments, the Platform was lauded by the Council of Europe and European Commission. Its early discussions addressed concerns such as government interference in public broadcasting, journalists’ safety, and Slovakia’s sharp decline in the 2024 Press Freedom Index (from 17th to 29th) under Prime Minister Robert Fico.

However, the sudden replacement of Petkova and the refusal to reconvene the platform since June 2024 have effectively stalled its work. Despite calls from five existing members to revisit the appointment, the government plenipotentiary refused (turn0search0). In response, RSF stated that the state’s actions amount to “an attempt to sabotage dialogue” and pledged to formally alert both the European Commission and the Council of Europe.

This withdrawal signals a worrying escalation in the atmosphere of hostility toward media freedom in Slovakia. Since Fico’s return to power in October 2023, his government has pursued reforms restructuring public broadcaster RTVS into a more politically controlled entity (now called STVR), expanded government influence over media regulation, and orchestrated smear campaigns against independent outlets. Legislative proposals—including enhanced defamation penalties and so-called “foreign-agent” requirements for NGOs—have further amplified concerns over press pluralism.

RSF and media freedom advocates warn that without an adequately independent advisory body, Slovakia risks undermining the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) and European and Council of Europe standards. The Platform’s breakdown represents not just institutional obstruction, but a deterrent to effective oversight of press rights in a pivotal EU member state.

Reference – 

Key players withdraw from Slovak media freedom platform over controversial state nominee

RSF suspends participation in Slovakia’s press freedom advisory body | RSF