News digest: Slovakia nosedives in World Press Freedom Index

Good evening. Here is the Friday, May 2 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

Culture fans, mark your calendars: from 3 to 7 May, Bratislava turns into a stage for ISTROPOLITANA PROJECT '25 – a vibrant international student theatre festival. Eight art schools from five countries will bring bold ideas to life under this year’s theme, Revolt. Expect fresh voices, daring performances and raw creative energy.

Slovakia's records its worst media freedom ranking in 15 years

A map showing Reporters Without Borders' latest ranking of media freedom worldwide. Slovakia is highlighted in yellow, at 38th place. (source: Reporters Without Borders)

In the latest World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, Slovakia has dropped nine places to 38th place, marking its worst ranking in 15 years, the SITA news agency reported. Among EU countries, Slovakia now ranks 19th out of 27. It is now positioned behind Armenia and Moldova and just ahead of Gabon.

"Slovakia is in free fall when it comes to press freedom," said Pavol Szalai, head of Reporters Without Borders for the EU and Balkans, speaking to the Investigative Centre of Ján Kuciak – an initiative named after a Slovak journalist who was murdered seven years ago. Szalai warned that Slovakia is following in Hungary’s footsteps; the latter ranked 68th this year.

He noted that "the ruling majority is not only launching political attacks, but also using legal tools to undermine press freedom." Szalai pointed to attempts to take political control of the public broadcaster, which was reconstituted last year as STVR, and weaken freedom of information laws as examples. He also criticised the possibility of appointing a person who “questions whether the Earth is round” to oversee STVR’s independence.

Still, Szalai sees hope in Slovakia’s economically independent and self-sustaining media outlets.

Slovensko party reacts

MPs from the opposition Slovensko party are blaming the country's sharp drop in the global press freedom index on unacceptable actions by the current government – citing its support for conspiracy theorists, extremists and neo-Nazis; legal moves against media freedom; and poor communication with journalists. “The government is doing nothing to improve press freedom – quite the opposite,” said MP Gábor Grendel.

MP Rastislav Krátky accused Prime Minister Fico of fuelling societal tension, eroding transparency and encouraging distrust in institutions by backing conspiracy media. He also pointed to the protection of controversial figures such as Peter Kotlár and neo-Nazi Daniel Bombic. Slovakia’s freedom ranking peaked at 17th place under the previous government, but has now fallen to 38th – the country’s worst result in 15 years.

The chair of Slovensko's parliamentary caucus, Michal Šipoš, vowed to restore media freedom if voters give his party a mandate, while criticising the governing coalition for avoiding public political debate and silencing opposing voices.

Slovakia's neighbour the Czech Republic ranked 10th, Austria came 22nd, and Poland placed 31st.

In its English-language commentary on Europe and Central Asia, Reporters Without Borders mentioned Slovakia alongside Bosnia (86th), Serbia (96th), and Kosovo (99th), noting that public service media in these countries are facing an existential crisis due to budget cuts and increasing political control.

MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE

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• No more May Day shifts: Once known for working symbolic night shifts on the May 1 public holiday, Robert Fico now faces growing scrutiny over missed appearances, health concerns and his crumbling political image.

• An EU member since 2004: Twenty-one years after joining the EU, Slovakia stands at a political crossroads – torn between pro-European ambition and rising nationalist scepticism, with its future in the bloc hanging in the balance.

• Bunker music: In a forgotten Nazi-era bunker buried beneath Bratislava’s industrial ruins, one man has built a musical sanctuary where hip hop, jazz and history collide.

• Good news: Bratislava's VŠMU arts academy unveils a bold new visual identity, Bronze Age and mediaeval remains unearthed in Nitra, and why a German student recommends studying in Slovakia. Here are our feel-good stories for this week – take a moment to read and smile.

• Three free things: From bold theatre workshops and classical Mozart tributes to hands-on eco adventures on Kamzík, they're all for free and ready to spark your imagination.

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FEATURE STORY

From pharaohs to photons: Slovak scientists unlock secrets of past and present

From left: Tatiana Milasová, Helena Kanďárová, Peter Pôbiš. (source: Archive of Peter Bôbiš)

From decoding ancient ice age mysteries to uncovering the secrets of Egyptian metallurgy and reducing animal testing with innovative lab protocols, Slovak scientists are pushing the boundaries in several fields. This year’s ESET Science Award embraces the humanities for the first time, recognising science as a pillar of trust. Plus, four Slovak researchers join the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, cementing Slovakia’s place on the global scientific stage.

EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND

Košice takes the spotlight: Art, music and floating madness await

A procession of lights, lamps, balloons and lanterns during last year's Košice City Days. (source: TASR)

After Bratislava celebrated its City Days last weekend, it’s Košice’s turn to shine. If you live in western or central Slovakia, why not take a trip to enjoy Košice City Days, running until May 7. This weekend’s highlight is the Use the C!ty series, now in its 17th year, filling the city centre with live music, fashion shows, street art, dance workshops, graffiti school, visual art duels, and this year’s novelty: living sculptures. On Saturday, don’t miss Košické Benátky (Košice Venice) at the Jazero reservoir – a wild parade of hand-made floating vessels, accompanied by food, music and pure creativity. The fun kicks off at 19:30.

IN OTHER NEWS

• Slovak police reported 47 phone scams targeting seniors in early 2024, with losses totalling €572,000. In 2023, fraudsters stole over €1.5 million through similar schemes. Authorities warn that scammers often target isolated elderly people using emotional manipulation. Police urge vigilance and recommend verifying any suspicious calls with family or trusted contacts. (TASR)

• Twelve EU countries, including Slovakia, Germany and Poland, have formally requested the activation of the national escape clause under the EU’s Stability and Growth Pact. This move, part of the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030 package, allows additional defence spending without breaching EU fiscal rules. The European Commission cites Russia’s war in Ukraine as an exceptional circumstance justifying increased military investment. More member states are expected to join the initiative. (SITA)

• MP Tibor Gašpar (Smer) gave a speech in Russian city Volgograd about peace, without mentioning the war against Ukraine. Speaking at a conference attended by Vladimir Putin, he referred to the assassination attempt on Robert Fico and spoke about efforts to “rewrite history”. Neither he nor fellow Smer MP Richard Glück, who also attended the event, have since responded to questions about whether they asked Russian officials when the conflict would end. (Denník N)

In a video of his address, Tibor Gašpar speaks in Russian, thanking the Red Army for bringing peace to Slovakia during World War II and recalling his student days in Volgograd. However, his speech omitted any mention of the Red Army’s presence in central and eastern Europe after 1945, which for Czechoslovakia (from 1968) and Hungary (from 1956) marked not liberation from fascism, but the beginning of decades of subjugation by Moscow.

• Slovakia’s state budget deficit for the year to date grew to €2.08 billion in April, up from €1.45 billion in March, but this was 35 percent lower than a year ago, thanks to a 30.5-percent rise in revenues, mainly from higher taxes. Spending from January to April increased 6.8 percent year-on-year to €9.41 billion. EU fund inflows also supported the budget. The 2024 budget targets a €6.28 billion deficit, slightly below last year’s €6.37 billion. Data excludes local governments, social security and health funds. (Denník N)

• Over the weekend, there may be a supersonic boom in western Slovakia, the Defence Ministry has warned. "We are warning of the possible occurrence of a supersonic boom caused by the supersonic flight of an F-16 aircraft over the western Slovak region on Saturday and Sunday between 9:00 and 10:30 or 14:30 and 16:00," the ministry wrote. (Sme, FB Defence Ministry)

WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND: On Saturday, temperatures will be unusually high, ranging from 23°C to 28°C, and could reach up to 31°C in the west and south. Showers and thunderstorms may occur, prompting the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) to issue a Level 1 warning for the whole of Slovakia. On Sunday, the warning will remain in effect for Banská Bystrica, Žilina, Košice and Prešov Regions. Temperatures on Sunday are expected to drop to between 20°C and 25°C. (SHMÚ)

WEEKEND PARTY TIME: This weekend, Galina and Timea, Florián and — last but not least — Lesia along with Lesana are celebrating their name days. Don’t forget to send your best wishes: Galina and Timea on Saturday (3 May), Florián on Sunday (4 May), and Lesia with Lesana on Monday (5 May).

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