'Slovakia' Party Criticises Country's Fall in Freedom of Press Ranking

Bratislava, May 2 (TASR) - The 'Slovakia' party has criticised the country's fall in the Freedom of the Press ranking, blaming the government of Robert Fico (Smer-SD), adding that Slovakia has dropped by 21 places compared to its best-ever 17th position in 2023, the party stated at Friday's press conference. "Robert Fico has, over the past year and a half, significantly contributed to rising tensions in society, which is also reflected in the scandalous drop of 21 places in the press freedom ranking. We've fallen 21 places from the best position we've ever had in our history, which was 17th place," said MP Rastislav Kratky ('Slovakia'). According to the MP, Premier Fico isn't building trust in institutions but rather undermining it and contributing to a lack of transparency. "Fico is actively and aggressively contributing to the fact that his voters and many people in Slovakia have fallen for disinformation and fake news, drawing such content from various closed groups on social media that Smer feeds and encourages," Kratky noted. MP Gabor Grendel ('Slovakia-For the People-KU') believes the decline will continue, as Fico's government is doing nothing to improve media freedom in Slovakia. He pointed to the situation at public-service broadcaster STVR as an example. MP Michal Sipos ('Slovakia') thanked all honest and independent journalists who seek the truth rather than trying to define it. He added that if the party gets a chance to join the government after the next election, it will do everything to strengthen freedom of speech. According to the report published on Friday by 'Reporters Without Borders' organisation, global press freedom has deteriorated and is seriously threatened by economic instability. The worst conditions are in Eritrea, while journalists enjoy the greatest freedom in Norway. Slovakia ranked 38th out of 180 countries, dropping nine places compared to last year. lin/mcs