Democracy Under Pressure: Slovakia’s Media Freedom Eroding

December 3, 2024 – Slovakia –

A coalition of international press freedom organizations, led by the International Press Institute (IPI), issued a stark warning on Slovakia’s deteriorating media landscape following a mission held on November 25–26, 2024. The findings underscore a systematic erosion of press independence, driven by government-led legal changes and political interference.

Central to this trend is Prime Minister Robert Fico’s populist Smer-led coalition, which has pushed through reforms weakening key institutions. Authorities disbanded the Special Prosecutor’s Office tasked with investigating corruption and assassinations—a move that, they argue, hampers justice for the 2018 murders of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, whose unresolved case casts a shadow over press safety. Parliamentary dissidents and watchdogs warn that this trend signals a broader political capture of the media landscape.

One alarming change is the dissolution of Slovakia’s public broadcaster RTVS, replaced in July 2024 by STVR, a state-controlled entity whose leadership is appointed by government-aligned officials. Critics highlight the removal of safeguards meant to ensure editorial independence, calling the move “a significant attack on public broadcasting”.

Simultaneously, attempts to restructure the media regulator—namely, the Council for Media Services—to concentrate authority within a politically appointed chair further jeopardize regulatory neutrality. The coalition also noted rising threats against journalists: harassment, SLAPP lawsuits, smear campaigns, and a hostile environment created by government-aligned “alternative” media outlets.

These developments occur against a backdrop of Slovakia’s broader democratic slide: protests erupted following Fico’s pivot toward Russia—marked by his Moscow visit and campaign to halt support for Ukraine—raising EU alarm over democratic backsliding.

The IPI and partners warn that Slovakia’s regression poses a critical test for the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) and the EU’s commitment to protect democratic standards within member states. They call on Slovak authorities to reverse media reforms, restore institutional safeguards, and protect journalists from harassment and impunity.

Reference –

Mission findings: Media freedom in Slovakia under threat