Slovakia: Media freedom under threat
“The Slovak government’s actions are not only detrimental to the media landscape but also pose a significant challenge for the EU, particularly in light of new legislative measures such as the European Media Freedom Act” – press freedom groups
Slovakia: Prime Minister launches SLAPP case against journalist and publisher
PM Fico is claiming 200,000 euros as compensation for non-material damage caused by the choice of cover photo on the book ‘Fico-Obsessed with Power’.
Call for withdrawal of Slovakia’s repressive broadcast law
Journalists and media freedom groups call for the urgent withdrawal of a proposed legislation allowing political control over public-service media in Slovakia.
Slovakia should reject draft legislation that weakens whistleblower protections
In addition to hindering the detection of corruption, the proposed changes would make Slovakia the only state where whistleblowing does not trigger protection unless the government agrees that exposing its own corruption is a ‘necessity’.
Slovakia: New PM attacks media; Culture Ministry handed to far-right conspiracy theorist
PM Fico’s new governing coalition is creating deep unease among Slovakia’s journalists about the future for media freedoms and public service journalism.
Slovakia: Six parties respond positively to RSF’s pre-electoral appeal for protection of journalists
“We hail the commitments of several parties to improve press freedom which create a basis for effective measures to support trustworthy media and fight against disinformation after the election” – RSF
Slovakia: Supreme Court overturned not guilty verdicts in Ján Kuciak murder case
Last summer, the businessman Marian Kočner and his confidante, Alena Zsuzsová, were acquitted of ordering Kuciak’s murder in February 2018. After reviewing new evidence on 15 June 2021, the Supreme Court remanded the case back for a retrial.
Fight for justice for Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak must continue
Rights groups express disappointment and frustration after a court convicts one of the hitmen in the Ján Kuciak murder trial but acquits the alleged mastermind and intermediary.
Slovakia: Second conviction in murder of journalist Ján Kuciak
Former soldier Miroslav Marček pleaded guilty in court in January, testifying that he shot Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová, on 21 February 2018. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Impunity must not be allowed to gain a foothold in Slovakia
Press groups welcome the start of the trial of those accused in connection with the murder of Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírova; they call on the authorities to introduce effective measures to prevent violence against journalists in the future.
Slovakia: Alleged hitman pleads guilty to murdering Ján Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kušnírová
At his trial, Miroslav Marček testified that he shot Kuciak at the home he and Kušnírová shared. He said that he then killed Kušnírová – apparently unplanned – after she saw his face, chasing her into the kitchen and shooting her in the head.
Four accused in Ján Kuciak murder case will go on trial in January
Businessman Marian Kočner is accused of contracting the assassination, Miroslav Marcek and Tomas Szabo are accused of carrying out the killing, and Alena Zsuzsova is accused of acting as an intermediary.
Four charged with murders of Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée
Those charged are Alena Zsuzsová, Tomáš Szabó, Miroslav Marček and Marian Kočner, a businessman who is accused of ordering the 2018 murder. They all face up to 25 years in prison or a life sentence.
Slovakia: Suspected mastermind behind Ján Kuciak murder charged
Marian Kočner, currently in detention on unrelated fraud charges, has been charged with ordering the February 2018 killing of Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová.