Slovakia urged not to undermine public broadcaster’s independence

11 months ago 33

The Slovak government’s recent decision to cut state funding to public broadcaster RTVS by 30%, its plans to split it into separate radio and television companies, and Prime Minister Robert Fico’s promise to “go after” its director general was heavily criticised in an open letter from Reporters Without Borders and other press freedom organisations.

In the letter, the organisations call on the Slovak parliament and president to reject the government’s plans for RTVS, warning that they would contravene European standards and threaten media freedom.

According to the signatories, “the measures fall short of European standards outlined by the Council of Europe and the European Parliament”, because “the public service media’s funding model cannot be used to exert editorial influence or threaten institutional autonomy.”

While the government generally refuses to communicate with Slovakia’s four largest mainstream media, with some members preferring disinformation media instead, it has inserted its plan to cut funding for RTVS in the updated budget proposal, along with other measures to obtain more funds. The 2024 budget, with a deficit of 5.97 % – the highest in the EU – has not yet been adopted.

“We fear that reduction of the broadcaster’s state funding by 55 million, (30 %), without any prior consultation, nor opportunity to make the necessary cost saving plans is designed to send RTVS into a crisis,” the signatories warn.

The organisations are also concerned about government plans to split RTVS into two companies. They say the measure, “which does not have any credible justification and would effectively mean changing the media’s leadership, is not meant to be just an organisational measure”.

However, the intention to split is included in the government programme.

The leader of the coalition party SNS, Andrej Danko, has repeatedly criticised RTVS, saying the division is part “of a strategy” and that in the current state: “There is lots of mess in it.”

(Natália Silenská | Euractiv.sk)