What distinguished readers say about TSS

“The free press plays an integral part in protecting the public interest in any democracy and all members of society have a responsibility to protect that interest by supporting the outlets they trust with their patronage. The Slovak Spectator provides a valuable service by keeping non-Slovak speaking residents in Slovakia abreast of local happenings and politics.”
Keith A. Eddins
Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy

“When you come to a new country as a diplomat, you are like a child: looking around you and wondering what this world is about. What is the difference between Sme and Smer? What kind of a secret language is KDHSDKUSMK? But then there is The Slovak Spectator (TSS) helping you to understand this new world around you. They explain the political and economic situation to you, sketch the historical background and give you an insight into what is happening. Thanks to TSS I grew up and I no longer feel like Alice in Wonderland. May there be many more years in your helping diplomats and expats to understand this wonderful and interesting country!”
Daphne Bergsma,
Ambassador of the Netherlands to Slovakia

“For foreign diplomats and business representatives The Slovak Spectator (TSS) remains an indispensable source of information about a broad range of topics that are important for the understanding of developments in all relevant aspects of Slovak society in a broad sense. During my posting in Slovakia I have appreciated TSS, not least for its strong attachment to high ethical standards in business and politics and its critical analyses of any misuse and abuse of power which should be unacceptable in any civilized democracy and not least in a member country of the EU. I congratulate the competent and hardworking staff of TSS with the first 15 years and wish them all the best in the future.”
Jørgen Munk Rasmussen,
Ambassador of Denmark

“Over the last 15 years The Slovak Spectator has proven to be a respected and long-term player in the Slovak media. While the publication has mostly served a niche group of customers, it has also played a wider role as a truly independent publication. It is this secondary role which I have valued the most, knowing that I can find information on current affairs that is balanced, unbiased and free from political interference.”
Todd Bradshaw, Country Managing Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers

“Print media remain an indispensable element of a lively society and striving democracy.
They have the obligation to offer readers the bits and pieces to develop their own opinion on whatever subject they are dealing with. The citizen has to get information on the programs of political parties and on the persons representing them, and businessmen have to be aware of the environment in which they are planning their activities. In a country where the national language is mastered only by a limited number of foreigners it is of great advantage that an English-language newspaper is available and contributes to the understanding of the ramifications of foreign presence in the Slovak Republic. Diplomats have always appreciated the quality of the articles The Slovak Spectator (TSS) publishes. The editorial team takes great pains over the issues dealt with and tries hard to give an objective picture which helps the readers to understand the situation. We can only hope that TSS will continue to provide this excellent overview of the political, economic and cultural developments in Slovakia and hence contribute also to improving the expertise of the community of experts in issues of mutual interest,”
Josef Aregger,
Ambassador of Switzerland to Slovakia

“15 years of The Slovak Spectator (TSS) deserves celebrations. Slovakia is still an emerging country on the European map and requires a lot of bridges for those who want to enter. With only a few Europeans mastering the language, the publication of significant news in English and in weekly editions is highly useful and welcome for everybody seeking a concise overview of current events in Slovakia. In view of the small market this is a courageous undertaking. I wish TSS a bright future and great success with an increasing readership,”
Helmut Wessely,
Ambassador of Austria

“The Slovak Spectator (TSS) is an outlet with a firm place and task on the Slovak media scene. Its readership is dominated by foreigners (diplomats, businessmen, students, tourists, experts on Slovakia abroad), but despite that the paper is not a classical medium bringing information about domestic events for the outer world. It’s got something more. It’s a paper with a clear position, which has passed, along with the country it informs about, a longer part of its road of transformation. It hasn’t been a simple and easy road, and TSS not only recorded all the curves and stumbling blocks, but also helped to cope with the challenges, accelerating or braking when it was needed. Freedom, democracy, reforms, euro-integration – throughout the existence of the weekly these keywords not only showed the content of the texts published in it, but also the position of its authors and editorial. TSS belongs to the top Slovak journalism as regards its analytical and informative level. Perhaps the major problem of TSS is that there is no Slovak version of it, since it would undoubtedly enrich the Slovak media scene, and provide Slovak readers with a wider outlook, more reliable information and good-quality analyses.”
Grigorij Mesežnikov,
President of the Institute for Public Affairs

“I look forward every Monday morning to reading the print version of The Slovak Spectator (TSS). I find reporting in the paper to be of a high caliber, the news reports written with clarity and the insights a perceptive analysis of the important political, business and cultural trends and events of the week. The online version is an excellent complement to the weekly as it enables me to be immediately informed about events in Slovakia. I would like to congratulate TSS on the occasion of the 15th Anniversary of the publication and wish the paper all success.”
Homai Saha,
Ambassador of India to the Slovak Republic