Slovenian opposition accuses government of targeting media independence

Opposition parties in Slovenia have accused the government of attempting to subordinate independent media through financial exhaustion, the cancellation of existing funding calls, and proposed new media legislation. During a press conference at the National Assembly, representatives from the Freedom Movement, the Left, and the Social Democrats expressed concerns that the ruling coalition seeks to control the media landscape, specifically targeting Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVS).

Opposition members argued that the government intends to replace the current RTVS fee with budget-based financing, which they claim would allow the ruling party to use public funds to support its own media interests. They emphasized that the state's duty is to fund media to ensure independence, a principle supported by European Union resolutions.

Separately, the Slovenian Advertising Chamber has raised alarms regarding increasingly aggressive political advertising. The Chamber reported a rise in misleading statements, unauthorized attributions, and communication that incites intolerance. They highlighted a regulatory vacuum, noting that current laws do not clearly define which authorities are responsible for overseeing political speech or addressing such practices, as the Advertising Council does not adjudicate political ads under the existing code.