Representatives of the International Press Institute (IPI) condemned the latest sharp statements by Prime Minister Robert Fico who slammed journalists and accused them of a conspiracy against his party and the government. Pavol Múdry of IPI Slovakia provided a statement to the SITA newswire on December 17.
The institute resolutely condemns the prime minister's statements. Fico has claimed at a recent congress of his party that media representatives met to discuss joint steps in the fight against his government and his party Smer. He likened the practices of the media to those of the Mafia.
“The words of the prime minister turned out to be lies and half-truths. Such lies voiced by senior officials, however, may create the impression among the public that the print media are acting against the interests of Slovakia,” said the institute, which called on the Prime Minister to refrain from false accusations.
The institute admits that Slovak media have some shortcomings. “Their efforts to write investigative articles, however, is not one of those shortcomings. That is why we consider the vulgar comparisons the prime minister used against the media, which is seeking information, to be not only disgusting but also a threat to freedom of expression,” reads the statement. SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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