Council of Europe Commissioner: Slovak Politicians Should Support Media Freedom

Brussels/Strasbourg, February 21 (TASR-correspondent) - Public officials in Slovakia should ensure that a favourable environment for journalists is in place and not adopt legislative measures that would interfere with media freedoms, said Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic in a statement published on Thursday. Mijatovic noted that investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kusnirova were murdered in the village of Velka Maca (Trnava region) exactly one year ago. "My thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues, for whom it's been an unimaginably difficult year," stated the commissioner. The Council of Europe considers it to be encouraging that the investigation so far has led to the detention of four people suspected of being involved in the murders and the possible identification of the person who ordered them. "However, extra vigilance is needed in order to guarantee the independence of the investigation, especially due to numerous reports that some suspects seem to have contacts or relationships with politicians and figures in the police and prosecutor's office," said Mijatovic. The commissioner stressed the "key role" of Slovak public officials in creating a favourable environment for journalists. Responsible people are duty-bound to ensure media freedom and safety for journalists, including the provision of protection when journalists face threats. am/df