Opposition Condemns Fico's Interruption of Communication with Selected Media

Bratislava, November 20 (TASR) - The Slovakia party, Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) and the Christian Democrats (KDH) criticise Prime Minister Robert Fico's (Smer-SD) decision to cut off communication with selected media, considering it to be unacceptable, TASR learnt on Monday. According to KDH, the deliberate ignoring of selected media further incites division in society, which Fico should rather calm down. The Slovakia party called Fico's actions unacceptable and unworthy of the prime minister. These practices remind the party of the practices before November 1989. KDH and the Slovakia party refer to the importance of the Velvet Revolution for media freedom and freedom of speech. The Slovakia party criticises the premier's actions for showing insufficient respect for citizens' right to free access to information. KDH parliamentary caucus chairwoman Martina Holeckova stated that in 1998, Fico declared the need to ensure that Markiza TV would be able to broadcast objective as well as critical information. "After 25 years everything is different and today it is Robert Fico who is going to limit the media," she added. SaS pointed out on a social network that MEP Eugen Jurzyca (SaS/ECR) together with Ivan Stefanec (KDH/EPP) initiated a letter to the European Commission, in which they ask to check the compliance of Fico's actions against the media with the EU's values and principles. Seven more Slovak MEPs also supported the initiative. "The key duty of public administration bodies in a democratic state is to inform the media and the public and thus enable public control of politicians," they emphasised. The premier interrupted communication with private television channel Markiza, Dennik N and SME dailies and news website Aktuality. Fico claimed that they don't fulfil the obligation to guarantee the provision of true, comprehensive and timely information to the public. am/mcs