In Slovakia, thousands of people are protesting against Fico’s government plans

Thousands of people rallied in Bratislava on Thursday against Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government plans to reorganize public broadcaster RTVS, which critics say will bring the media organization under full government control.

The opposition party “Progressive Slovakia” organized the rally in the Freedom Square.

“Slovak democracy needs a strong and independent RTVS and its employees need your support,” Šimečka said at the rally.

“If Fico takes control of RTVS, it will mean a decisive step [Ungārijas autoritārā premjera Viktora] Orban and [Krievijas diktatora Vladimira] In the direction of Putin,” said the opposition politician.

It has already been reported that the Slovak government approved the reorganization of RTVS on April 24.

The liberal and conservative opposition accuse the ruling coalition of two social democrats and one right-wing populist party of plans to create a government propaganda broadcaster. In March, large-scale protests against the reorganization of RTVS took place in Bratislava, which were sharply criticized by international media organizations and the European Commission.

Fico claims that changes are necessary because RTVS is politically biased and “is in conflict with the Slovak government”. The proposed changes mean it will be replaced by a new organisation.

Parliament, where Fico’s coalition government has a majority, is expected to approve the changes in June.

The takeover plan was drawn up by Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová, a member of the Slovak National Party in the ruling coalition and who has worked at an Internet TV channel known for spreading disinformation. Šimkovićova stated that the takeover of RTVS was necessary because it was biased and reflected only progressive views and censored the others. RTVS has denied it.

Fico, known for his tirades against journalists, recently named one of the major television networks, two national newspapers and a news website as his enemies.

Fico’s left party “Smer” won the parliamentary elections held on September 30 with a pro-Russian and anti-American platform. Critics fear that Fico’s Slovakia will abandon its pro-Western course and follow Hungary’s lead.

The new government immediately suspended official government arms supplies to Ukraine. Recently, thousands of people took to the streets repeatedly across Slovakia to protest Fico’s policies, including plans to amend the criminal code and abolish the special prosecutor’s office.