Slovenian Culture Minister Halts Journalist Salary Co‑Funding Program

The Slovenian Ministry of Culture announced that it is cancelling two public calls that were intended to co‑finance journalists' salaries and digital subscriptions. The original scheme, announced by Minister Ignacija Fridl Jarc, would have provided up to €3,000 per month in gross salary for new reporting positions and allocated about €4 million for 2026‑27, limited to selected national and regional news outlets. The minister cited altered financial conditions as the reason for the withdrawal.

Journalists’ unions – the Syndicate of Journalists of Slovenia (SNS) and the Association of Journalists of Slovenia (DNS) – condemned the decision, warning that it could lead to layoffs and a deterioration of working conditions for media staff. Critics argue that the cancelled subsidies would have distorted the media market by favouring certain publishers while excluding free‑press, municipal bulletins, party‑affiliated and niche outlets.

The move removes a direct state support mechanism for quality journalism, raising concerns about the sustainability of independent media in Slovenia.