Good evening. Here is the Wednesday, June 19 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Slovaks' trust in the media remains dismal
Illustrative image. (source: SME - Jozef Jakubčo)
Overall trust in the media in Slovakia has fallen to just 25 percent, its lowest level in eight years, a new Digital News Report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism has found.
"The trend for many political leaders – especially within the government – to spurn the traditional media in favour of partisan sites where they get uncritical publicity is one factor that saps public trust in traditional brands," reads the report.
Of all the monitored media outlets, public broadcaster RTVS and private news channel TA3 were the most trusted brands, with 56 percent.
At least once a week 44 percent of Slovaks watch private broadcaster TV Joj, 43 percent private station TV Markíza, and 41 percent public broadcaster RTVS. When it comes to online media, 38 percent read Aktuality.sk, 27 percent Topky.sk and 20 percent Sme.sk.
With 49 percent, the most-used social media network for news was Facebook.
The report mentions the proposed changes to RTVS by Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová (SNS nominee). It notes that RTVS staff were quick to sign a protest letter calling for the proposals to be withdrawn and claiming that they enable "the political control of RTVS by any government".
The situation at TV Markíza, which according to the report is trusted by 40 percent of people, is also mentioned. The report notes that TV Markíza's reporters have said the station's new head of news, Michal Kratochvíl, tried to steer political coverage away from criticism of the current government.
The Europe-wide research was conducted using an online questionnaire at the turn of January and February; 94,943 people from 47 countries took part in it.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
HISTORY TALKS: A picturesque view of St. Martin's Cathedral.
BUSINESS: An industrial park near Prešov has started to produce civilian drones, and is looking to employ as many as 200 people.
HEALTH CARE: The health minister looks set to get direct control over another formerly independent institution.
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FEATURE STORY FOR WEDNESDAY
The chef who cooked for the Japanese emperor
Kenji Ueda (source: SME - Jozef Jakubčo)
Somewhat hidden below Bratislava Castle, the inconspicuous restaurant Rokkiu greets guests with an interior featuring warm wood, an intimate atmosphere, and plant decoration on the ceiling. Its head chef once served Emperor Naruhito of Japan.
Even though he has a licence to prepare the famous dish Fugu, featuring the eponymous poisonous fish, he cannot do it in Slovakia. There is a simple reason for that.
EVENT FOR FRIDAY
Stay a while and listen
The Noc Hudby (Night of Music) one-day festival in Bratislava. (source: TASR)
On Friday evening, several streets and venues in the centre of Bratislava will play host to bands and musicians from Slovakia and elsewhere, They will perform during the one-day Noc Hudby (Night of Music) festival. The event will take place between 17:00 and 22:00 in Hviezdoslavovo Námestie square, Františkánske Námestie square, at Biela 6, on the stairs on Klariská Street, in Rudnayovo Námestie square, and at the skate park in Sad Janka Kráľa park. Admission is free. Learn more here.
IN OTHER NEWS
The European Union has started disciplinary proceedings against Slovakia and six other member states, including France and Italy, over their accumulation of debt. According to the EU’s fiscal rules, national budget deficits should not exceed 3 percent of GDP. Brussels had suspended debt regulations to help countries cope with Covid-19. (Denník N).
On Wednesday, the Bratislava IV Municipal Court began hearing a lawsuit filed by Democrats party leader and former defence minister Jaroslav Naď against Deputy Speaker of Parliament (and now MEP) Ľuboš Blaha (Smer). The dispute concerns the defence cooperation agreement signed with the USA in 2022. Naď is seeking a public apology, and removal of all comments, videos and other posts in which Blaha accused him of treason, among other things. The Democrats party leader also wants €100,000 in compensation, which will be used to help Ukrainian refugees. In public comments has has asked why, if the agreement is so bad, the current defence minister, Robert Kaliňák – Blaha's Smer party colleague – has not revoked it. (SITA)
During a government out-of-town session, Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák said that his ministry has received a new offer from France and Italy in regards to the procurement of air-defence systems. They come in addition to two offers from Israel that are already being considered. He added that a combination of the two Israeli offers may be procured in the end. (TASR)
Slovakia fully supports Moldova's membership of the European Union and offers expert assistance in relation to the accession process, Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer; right) stated following a Wednesday meeting with his Moldovan counterpart Mihai Popsoi (left). (source: TASR)
On Wednesday, the Slovak courts were again evacuated because of a bomb threat. A phone call in Banská Bystrica Region claimed that explosives had been place in a court building. Since the caller did not provide any other details, a nationwide search is being carried out. A week ago, on June 12, a caller from Trnava Region threatened to bomb the courts. No devices were found. (TASR)
According to Economy Minister Denisa Saková (Hlas), Winkelmann Group is to launch production in the new state-owned industrial park in Rimavská Sobota, southern Slovakia, in July. The company is expected to create 450 jobs; together with all companies who plan to operate in the industrial park, some 1,500 jobs are expected to be created, offering help to a district that has long struggled with high unemployment. The company will produce hot water storage tanks, especially for heat pumps. (TASR)
WEATHER FOR THURSDAY: There will be light cloud cover, with daytime temperatures of between 27°C and 32°C. A level 1 storm warning has been issued for districts in northern Slovakia; see map here. (SHMÚ)
JUNE 20 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Valéria
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