A live circuit has been set up around the building of the Slovak Public Broadcasting Company in Bratislava

Hundreds of demonstrators unfurled a poster with the inscription “Hands off RTVS!” and shouted “We’re on your side” to local journalists.

The takeover plan has been drawn up by Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová, a member of the ultra-nationalist Slovak National Party in the ruling coalition and who has worked for an internet TV channel known for spreading disinformation.

The plan has been condemned by President Zuzana Čaputova, opposition parties, local journalists, international media organizations, the European Commission and others, who warn that the government would take full control of public television and radio.

Slovak journalists have called the plan an attack on all free media.

The creation of the live chain is another protest against Prime Minister Fico’s policies. His critics fear that under Fico, Slovakia will abandon its pro-Western course and follow Hungary’s lead.

Šimković has stated that the takeover of the public media is necessary because she believes that the current public broadcaster is biased, reflects only progressive views and censors the rest. RTVS has denied it.

Her plan envisages that, as part of the reorganization, RTVS will be disbanded and transformed into a new institution “STaR”, which is an abbreviation of the name “Slovak Television and Radio”.

According to the currently valid law, the government cannot dismiss RTVS director Lubos Mahaj, whom it accuses of political bias. This obstacle is eliminated by the official dissolution of RTVS.

Mahaya was elected to the post by parliament in 2022, when Fico’s opponents had a majority in parliament, and his term would expire in 2027.

The director of the new broadcasting company would be chosen by a new board, whose seven members would be nominated by the government and parliament, and would have the right to fire the director without giving reason.