Hello. Here is theThursday, June 20edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Coalition MPs cancel the public broadcaster
The final vote on the future of RTVS on June 20, 2024. (source: TASR)
The Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS), the country’s public broadcaster, will cease to exist and Slovak Radio and Television (STVR), the broadcaster’s government-friendly successor, will come into existence.
All 78 coalition MPs voted for the bill, which will introduce the change. The opposition lawmakers left the debating chamber before the vote. If President Peter Pellegrini, an ally of the coalition, signs the law, it will take effect on July 1.
“It is a dark day for independent public service broadcasting in Slovakia. It is a dark day for the media space in Slovakia. And it is a dark day for civil society in Slovakia,” RTVS director Ľuboš Machaj said in a press release, adding that the law does not adequately address the transition period.
Machaj will lose his job as soon as the law becomes effective. The new director will be selected by the STVR board under the control of the coalition, not by the parliament, and the Ethical Commission will oversee the broadcaster’s impartiality. The Culture Ministry explains the change in the broadcaster’s name by saying that the current name degrades the Slovak nation to the region of Slovakia.
“We can look forward to a channel of propaganda, nonsense, and kowtowing to the coalition,” opposition MP Veronika Remišová (Slovakia) said.
Progressive Slovakia, the strongest opposition party, said that they will turn to the Constitutional Court.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
War in Ukraine: Russia-friendly politicians, from home and abroad, met in Bratislava to debate the war in Ukraine, Russia, and sanctions.
Health: SNSMP Peter Kotlár, who was appointed in January to investigate the mismanagement of the Covid-19 pandemic, has said that Slovakia experienced no Covid-19 pandemic.
Bratislava: The government intends to undertake a renovation of a manor house situated in Rusovce, which was once the residence of a Belgian princess. However, people should not have high hopes.
Automotive: The Slovak Electric Vehicle Association has said that the introduction of provisional tariffs on Chinese e-cars in the EU may have a significant impact on the Slovak automotive industry.
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FEATURE STORY
Boules by the Danube
Many pétanque courts can be found in Bratislava. (source: Pexels)
Pétanque was first introduced to Slovakia in 1994, thanks to a Zen master. Despite numerous courts and boules, the game has not gained popularity in the country. One person tries to change this.
WHAT TO DO IN THE CAPITAL
Top 10 events in Bratislava
Members of the band Červený Bicykel (Red Bicycle) perform during the one-day street festival Night of Music in the streets of the Bratislava borough of Staré Mesto on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (source: TASR)
The Bratislava Cultural Summer, the largest and longest-running city festival in Slovakia, will commence on Friday with the one-day street event The Night of Music. You can also march or enjoy a picnic in the city.
IN OTHER NEWS
Slovak and Russian sources on Telegram are spreading a hoax that Slovak flags will be banned at Friday’s (June 21) Euro match between Slovakia and Ukraine due to their similarity to Russian flags. It is a deliberate manipulation of authentic footage from the AP agency. In the original video, reporter Tom Krisher talks about entrepreneur Elon Musk. In the manipulated version, he talks about the European Championships, even though he had never previously commented on sports. (Facebook: Hoaxy a podvody)
The government can significantly restrict public access to information. The government is going to amend the law on the protection of classified information. Within the law, it plans to introduce the concept of limited information. Non-governmental organisations warn that the law is drafted vaguely, allowing state authorities to label anything as limited information to avoid public scrutiny. (Sme)
GIB EnergyX Slovakia’s €1.2 billion battery production plant for e-cars in Šurany will receive €214 million in state investment aid.
The operator of social networks Facebook and Instagram, Meta, will directly connect to the oldest Slovak internet (peering) node, SIX.sk. A peering node is where local internet providers exchange their data traffic. In practice, this step means that Meta’s internet services will be faster for Slovak users. Previously, Meta’s data traffic to Slovakia went through Prague or Vienna and then through various third-party links. Now, data will flow directly from Meta’s servers to Bratislava and then to users through their operators’ networks. (Živé.sk)
Renáta Cződörová, a controller at the Transport Ministry, received the Clerk Act of the Year award for her contribution to uncovering tax evasion in driving schools. Her analysis led to inspections nationwide, ultimately resulting in an additional €2.2 million to the state budget. The controller conducted her analysis in her spare time. (SITA)
One hundred experts have signed a letter recommending constitutional judges to decide that the changes in criminal laws pushed through by the government coalition are unconstitutional. The authors of the letter are a trio of lawyers: Igor Ribár, Tomáš Kamenec, and Tomáš Langer. (Sme)
Photo from the opening of Milota Havránková's exhibition "Blue Roof" installed in the Mirbach Palace on June 19, 2024, in Bratislava. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR FRIDAY: On Friday, expect partly cloudy skies, occasional showers, and very warm weather. The daytime temperatures will range from 28°C to 34°C. The meteorological institute has issued a first-degree warning of high temperatures and evening storms across western and central Slovakia. (SHMÚ)
JUNE 21 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Alojz.
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