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Slovakia Slovakia

473

[Press Freedom Index - SLOVAKIA]: Public media and regulator pressured

RSF in its 2026 Index ranked Slovakia as 37th (similarly to 38th in 2025). However, the trend is alarming. Since the 2023 parliamentary elections Slovakia's ranking fell from #17 (in 2024 to #29 and in 2025 to #38). The Robert Fico's government has been deliberately creating a hostile environment for independent media and critical journalists, while public broadcaster (STVR) is captured by the state. Moreover, the 2018 murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée remains unsolved.

Ivan Godársky
Slovakia Slovakia

388

Is the public STVR's news impartial? MEMO 98 and partners complain to the media regulator

A qualitative media monitoring of MEMO 98 (autumn 2025 - winter 2026), supported by findings from TIS (summer - autumn 2025), provided a basis for a joint formal complaint (together with Via Iuris and RSF) against the public broadcaster (STVR). We asked the Slovak media regulator (Council for Media Services) to act on an alleged breach of the STVR legal obligations to provide objective, impartial and pluralistic TV news coverage. Alongside, we filed the complaint also to STVR Council, the public media oversight body.

Ivan Godársky
Slovakia Slovakia

2064

[Press Freedom Predators 2025] Slovak PM Fico listed

For International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, celebrated on 2 November, Reporters Without Borders unveiled 34 press freedom predators who attacked journalists and the right to information in 2025. Slovak PM Robert Fico was listed among predators who apply social pressure - those who smear media and promote mistrust of journalists.

Ivan Godársky