Slovak actress facing verbal harassment after minister's Easter attack on public broadcaster

In recent days, the well-liked Slovak actress Zuzana Fialová has been facing verbal attacks on social media following a post shared by Environment Minister and Deputy Premier Tomáš Taraba.

On Easter Sunday, March 31, he complained that on its website the public-service broadcaster RTVS promoted the “inspiring story” of Zuzana Fialová instead of Christian stories.

“This arrogance towards our culture is exactly what I was talking about, that under the leadership of the current management RTVS is soulless rubbish, detached from Slovak reality,” said the ultraconservative politician.

“We’ll solve it soon,” added Taraba. He also has a problem with RTVS’ pink logo.

The coalition has already revealed how it wants to get the public-service broadcaster under its full control. Nevertheless, the bill hasn’t been submitted to the parliament - possibly due to the presidential election.

The piece about the actress was published several days before Easter Sunday and was supposed to promote the regular show called the Hit of the Year.

Several personalities, including President Zuzana Čaputová, stood up for Fialová.

“We are expressing our support and solidarity to the actress Zuzana Fialová, who became the target of verbal attacks on social networks, after a post shared by a member of the government criticising RTVS,” the Sme Tu (We’re Here) platform wrote in its statement.

The Human Rights Institute non-governmental organisation filed a criminal complaint with the General Prosecutor’s Office. According to the NGO, Taraba wants to incite religious intolerance. However, Taraba says that he didn’t say anything about the actress herself.

RTVS reminded Taraba that it “reflected the strong religious nature of the holidays” in its programme structure, naming the broadcast of a mass from Poltár, the “Call Me František” miniseries, and the live broadcast of the mass from the Vatican and the traditional Urbi et Orb blessing as some examples.

In 2021, Taraba mocked Čaputová’s 17-year-old daughter, Emma, by sharing her photo on social media and ridiculing her for a modelling career. Under the photo, many people left comments that criticised Emma’s appearance.

“An attack on a politician through their children is the political bottom. MP Taraba would never have been interested in my daughter if not related to my position,” the president then wrote on social media.