'Slovakia' Party: Flasikova's Election Bad News for Impartiality

Bratislava, May 12 (TASR) - The opposition 'Slovakia' party considers the election of Martina Flasikova as general director of public-service broadcaster STVR to be a warning message for the objectivity of the public-service media, TASR learnt from party's spokesman Matus Bystriansky on Monday. The 'Slovakia' party also considers the way of selecting the new STVR director to be "scandalous", criticising the fact that the public was not allowed to give questions to the candidates. It also points out that the new director is the daughter of Fedor Flasik, who founded the news website eReport, which is uncritical of the government. "Choosing Flasik's daughter to be the head of radio and television is certainly a huge risk that it will soon be just one government propaganda," said party leader Igor Matovic. Martina Flasikova has become the new general director of public broadcaster STVR. The STVR Council, which has the power to elect and dismiss the public broadcaster's head under current legislation, made the decision in a secret ballot at its meeting following the hearings of the candidates on Monday. Flasikova garnered seven votes, while acting director Igor Slanina received two votes from the council members. am