Slovakia’s parliament backs a contentious plan to overhaul the country's public broadcasting
Slovakia’s parliament has approved a government plan to overhaul the country’s public broadcaster
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia’s parliament voted on Thursday to approve a government plan to overhaul the country’s public broadcasting services, a move that critics say would result in the government taking full control of the media.
The coalition government of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico agreed on the measure on April 24. Fico, who is recovering at home from multiple wounds he suffered in an assassination attempt on May 15, said that the changes are needed, because the services are politically biased and “in conflict with the Slovak government.”
Thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital, Bratislava, in protest rallies organized by the major opposition Progressive Slovakia party and others against the plan, which has been widely criticized by local journalists, the opposition, international media organizations and the European Union.
Former President Zuzana Čaputová, whose term in office expired on Saturday, was also among fierce critics. Her successor, Petr Pellegrini, is Fico’s close ally.
