New MFRR report warns of systematic attacks on media freedoms in Slovenia

The Balkan Free Media Initiative supports Media Freedom Rapid Response’s (MFRR) latest report published today which finds that Slovenian government of Prime Minister Janez Janša is overseeing an increasingly systematic effort to undermine critical media.

MFRR, a collection of press freedom organisations and journalism groups, produced the report following a two-week online mission jointly led by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the International Press Institute (IPI) in May 2021, in participation with the Slovenian Journalists’ Association (DNS).

It reveals that Slovenia has seen press freedom deteriorate ever since Janša returned to power in March 2020. The ruling SDS party has embarked on a multipronged campaign to reshape the media landscape in favour of pro-government narratives, renewing tactics successful during previous administrations and forging ahead with new forms of pressure. 

The front line of this campaign is an aggressive attempt to seize control of the country’s public service broadcaster and national news agency using a mix of legal and administrative pressure, as well as vicious, often highly personal, smears aimed at undermining the integrity and independence of these institutions. 

One example has seen the Slovenian Press Agency (STA), the lifeblood of the media market, drained of state-funding since the beginning of the year. MFRR states that the government’s recent announcement of an advance of €845.000 for 2021 costs is a cynical response designed to remedy the situation before assuming the EU Presidency on 1 July 2021. 

These findings prove that the dangers facing a free Slovenian media are clear and we should not be misled by shallow attempts from Janša to save face. As the report concludes:

“Despite the strength of the resistance no one should be in any doubt of the SDS strategy and the extent of the damage the current administration has caused, nor underestimate the danger that a stronger SDS government would pose to media freedom. A free press was one of the key values in the founding of the Republic of Slovenia. As the country celebrates thirty years of independence, it is vital a free press remains a cornerstone of its democracy.” 

BFMI stands by these findings and will continue to fight for a free press throughout the Balkans.