Slovak Prime Minister 'explodes' against journalists

London – An explosion of anger against journalists led by Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, provoked protests from press freedom organizations concerned not only with the climate of hostility created by the ruler but also with the possibility of the country gaining a body to control the media that challenges government actions.

When asked during a press conference on Tuesday (8) about differences in the coalition that supports his administration, Fico exploded and called press professionals “bloodthirsty bastards”.

The prime minister continued with the insults, accusing journalists who criticize his government of being “possessed by the devil”, “driven by hate”.

Robert Fico, who survived a shooting attack in May, blamed the media for the attack that almost cost his life.

“You just want bad, bad, bad and bad, and that’s why the climate is the way it is.”

Slovak Prime Minister’s insults ‘put journalists in danger’

The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the derogatory comments, and called on Slovak authorities to ensure that journalists can do their work without fear of reprisal.

“We are alarmed,” said Attila Mong, CPJ’s European representative in Berlin.

“This hostile rhetoric from the highest levels of government puts journalists in danger and erodes public trust in the media. Government officials should support the work of journalists instead of defaming them.”

According to CPJ, Fico’s latest verbal attack on the press illustrates a worrying trend of growing hostility toward the media.

In the interview, the government official complained that “the press won’t leave him alone”, and addressed complaints to two opposition media outlets, Denník N and Sme and Aktuality.sk, with which he no longer dialogues.

Authority to control the press in Slovakia

Following the explosion, Robert Fico stated that “the media chaos” plaguing Slovakia does not exist anywhere in Europe, and signaled support for the plan of a national media authority to control the press, an instrument used by countries recognized for censorship and repression.

The body could impose sanctions on journalists who do not correct errors in their reports, according to the Slovak prime minister. He advocated that press professionals undergo requalification courses.

The intolerance of governments against the press, often inspired by the pattern adopted by Donald Trump in the USA, is seen with concern by organizations defending human rights and freedom of expression, as they accentuate public hostility against professionals that often results in aggression physical and harassment.

According to CPJ, following the attack on Robert Fico journalists reported an “orchestrated pattern” of abuse, with politicians verbally attacking reporters in public and online, and their supporters amplifying their messages on social media.

Many fear that such insults could easily turn into physical violence again, as happened with the murder of Slovak investigative journalist Ján Kuciak in 2018, a case that marked journalism in Europe and which occurred during the current prime minister’s first term.