Czech investment PPF group urged to defend media freedom in Slovakia

The Czech National Committee of the International Press Institute (CZ IPI) has expressed concerns about possible violations of the principles of free journalism at Slovakia’s television Markíza, which is owned by the Czech investment group PPF, as its editors threaten to go on strike.

Michal Kovačič, a prominent Slovak political moderator, recently revealed that Slovakia’s largest TV station, Markíza, is under significant pressure from politicians and its own management and warned against the “Orbanisation” of Slovak media.

His comments on-air led to the immediate suspension of his debate show “Na telo”, the most-watched political programme in Slovakia.

In an open letter, CZ IPI urged the PPF to take personal responsibility for safeguarding media freedom.

“Internal discussions at Markíza TV may now define the nature of free journalism in all PPF Group media now and in the future. It is a topic so important that your personal position on the whole matter matters a great deal,” CZ IPI stated in their letter, addressing PPF owner Renata Kellnerová and executive director Jiří Šmejc.

CZ IPI underscored the significance of maintaining critical and free journalism, using the debate around the continuation of “Na telo” as a symbolic battleground.

The committee emphasised, “We are convinced that your personal guarantee to preserve this show and its moderator can be the first step in confirming your commitment to defend and support free journalism.”

CME cites breaching of journalistic duties

TV Markíza is operated by CME (Central Media Enterprise), and Hans Mahr, a member of the CME Editorial Board, defended the decision to suspend “Na telo” and emphasised the need for ethical journalism. Mahr insisted that Kovačič’s actions were ‘unprofessional’ and ‘violated editorial guidelines’.

“There is no doubt that Mr. Michal Kovacic breached his journalistic duties (…) To use airtime for personal ambitions is violating not only the editorial guidelines but also endangering the principles of media freedom,” Mahr stated.

Mahr reassured that “Na telo” would return after its planned summer break, but with potential changes to its format and hosting to ensure adherence to professional standards.

Despite urging, PPF Group, which bought CME in 2020, keeps its distance from the matter.

“As part of the acquisition of the media company CME by PPF Group, there was (and still is) a commitment to maintain the independence of each station’s news coverage from its owner,” Leoš Rousek, head of PPF’s Group Communications wrote to Euractiv Czechia.

Euractiv Czechia contacted Věra Jourová, the European commissioner for values and transparency, whose portfolio includes media freedom, but she did not respond.

Markíza’s journalists announce strike

After Kovačič’s statement on Sunday, more than 120 of his colleagues gave the channel an ultimatum: either it would commit to continuing “Na telo” with Kovačič, or they would “resort to the steps of collective resistance”.

Ahead of the ultimarequest’sine on Thursday evening, Markíza denied their conditions, saying, “There is no excuse for the actions of the Na telo” presenter.”

Editors of Markíza announced a strike alert, formulating a trio of demands to which the TV management is to commit within five working days.

They demand political topics to be given relevant attention in the news coverage, guaranteeing they will be able to ask critical questions and that there will not be any non-standard interventions in the news coverage of the content of already approved reports ready for broadcast.

(Aneta Zachová | Euractiv.cz, Natália Silenská | Euractiv.sk)

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