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Thursday, April 25, 2024

Slovakia's government pushes ahead with contested revamp of public broadcaster

 (Reuters) -Slovakia's leftist-nationalist government on Wednesday approved a proposed overhaul of public broadcaster RTVS, which it has accused of bias, raising concerns among opposition politicians, reporters and media advocacy groups.

The legislation is the latest step in what critics say is an effort by Prime Minister Robert Fico's government to tighten control over the European Union and NATO member country.

Fico, who became prime minister for a fourth time last year after several years in opposition, has long railed against critical media and his government has refused questions from some outlets.

"The situation in RTVS is unsustainable," Fico told a broadcast news conference on Wednesday.

"(It) cannot be objectively objective because it is in dispute with the Slovak government. The basic human right for citizens of Slovakia to have objective information at their disposal is being violated."

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