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October 04, 2024 – Slovakia –
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico initiated a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) targeting Peter Bárdy, editor-in-chief of Aktuality.sk, and publisher Ringier Slovak Media. The lawsuit concerns the use of Fico’s photograph on the cover of Bárdy’s book titled Fico – Obsessed with Power. Fico is seeking €100,000 in damages from each defendant, claiming misuse of his likeness and non-material harm, despite not challenging the book’s content.
The International Press Institute (IPI), along with nine press freedom organisations, including CPJ, RSF, EFJ, ECPMF, and others, condemned the legal action as a textbook case of SLAPP meant to intimidate independent journalism. They urged the court to dismiss the case and highlighted the unequal power dynamic: a national leader suing a journalist and publisher over a routine editorial choice.
This lawsuit follows a larger pattern under Fico’s administration. Since returning to power in late 2023, Fico has frequently labelled outlets like Aktuality.sk, SME, and TV Markíza as “enemy media,” restricted access to press conferences, and verbally attacked journalists, raising concerns about a backlash against media freedom. In April 2024, Fico pushed for structural changes to Slovakia’s state media regulator, proposing to replace a nine-member board with a single government-appointed director—a move widely viewed as increasing state media control .
Slovakia’s independent media sector has been resilient but strained. Since 2018, following the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak, press freedom protections have been a national priority. However, the resurgence of legal threats has renewed fears of democratic backsliding and press repression.
Media freedom groups stress the need for Slovakia to adopt robust anti‑SLAPP protections, per EU guidelines, to prevent public figures from using intimidation tactics via courts. They also call on the government to refrain from overhauling regulatory bodies and to respect journalists’ rights to report freely and independently
Reference –
https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Slovakia-Fico-sues-editor.pdf
