Protesters in Slovakia gathered outside the country's public television and radio building to form a human chain in opposition to a government takeover plan. The plan, spearheaded by Culture Minister Martina Šimkovicová, a member of an ultra-nationalist party in the coalition government, has sparked widespread condemnation.
President Zuzana Caputová, opposition parties, local journalists, international media organizations, and the European Commission have all criticized the move, warning that it would grant the government full control over public broadcasting. Slovak journalists have decried the plan as an assault on free media.
The proposed takeover aims to replace the current public broadcaster, RTVS, with a new organization. Under the plan, a new council with government and parliament-nominated members would select the broadcaster's director and have the authority to dismiss the director without cause.
Protesters displayed a banner reading “HANDS OFF RTVS!” and voiced their support for local journalists, emphasizing solidarity in the face of perceived threats to media freedom. This demonstration follows earlier protests against Prime Minister Robert Fico's policies, with concerns raised about a potential shift away from Slovakia's pro-Western stance towards a more authoritarian direction akin to Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Fico, known for his antagonistic stance towards journalists, returned to power for the fourth time last year after his party, Smer (Direction), secured victory in the parliamentary election on a platform that included pro-Russian and anti-American sentiments.
