In April 2026, the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and its partners expressed urgent alarm regarding a legislative proposal by the Slovak government aimed at a radical restructuring of the nation's media regulatory body. If adopted by parliament, this proposal would concentrate unprecedented power in the hands of a single chairperson—a move that critics argue would fatally weaken the body’s independence and directly violate the new European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).
The Shift Toward Centralized Regulation
The current legislative proposal, which passed its first parliamentary stage in early February, was submitted by MPs from the Slovak National Party (SNS). If fully implemented, it would transform the Council for Media Services (RpMS) from a pluralistic, nine-member collective body into a single-headed entity renamed the National Media Office.
This draft was introduced without prior expert consultation or public discussion. Under the new law, a chairperson—appointed and removable by parliament—would hold near-absolute regulatory authority, including control over internal rules and the appointment of deputies. This restructuring effectively removes existing checks and balances, reducing pluralism within the regulatory framework.
Violations of International Standards
While the Slovak government has attempted to justify these reforms as aligning national law with the EMFA, international observers argue the bill moves in the opposite direction. MFRR partners believe the proposal directly violates Article 7 of the EMFA and Article 30 of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), both of which require media regulators to remain "functionally independent" of their governments and any other public or private entities.
Concerns were further exacerbated by the dismissal of Martin Dorociak, the former chief executive of RpMS. International monitoring bodies noted that the sudden proposal and narrow vote to remove him pose "systemic risks" to the regulatory framework's integrity.
Retaliatory Layoffs at STVR
Beyond regulatory changes, the leadership of the state broadcaster, Slovak Television and Radio (STVR), has announced plans to reduce staff by approximately 60 employees. Although management describes these dismissals as economically driven, the targets include several long-serving journalists and members of a strike committee that previously opposed the 2024 abolition of the former public broadcaster (RTVS).
These layoffs appear to be discriminatory and retaliatory, aimed at removing critical voices and solidifying government influence over the broadcaster. Some of these dismissals are already being challenged in court as unlawful.
A Litmus Test for the European Union
Since 2024, the independence of the Slovak public broadcaster has been steadily eroded through significant budget cuts and its replacement with a new state entity. International organizations warn that these developments are part of a broader "media capture" strategy to wield greater control over the country's media landscape.
Slovakia is currently in a pre-infringement dialogue with the European Commission. The international community now looks to the Commission to take decisive action under the EMFA to protect the pillars of a plural and independent media ecosystem. The situation in Bratislava represents a crucial litmus test for the EU's new regulatory framework and its commitment to safeguarding democratic values across its member states.
