Rule of Law Report: Progress in ensuring independence of public media

5. 7. 2023

Government Communication Office

In its Rule of Law Report published in July, the European Commission notes that Slovenia has made progress in ensuring the independence of the public media. This was in part due to the resolution of the situation at the Slovenian Press Agency (STA), in which the Government Communication Office (UKOM) played a key role.

"I am pleased that UKOM contributed to the annulment of the disputed STA Decree, thus ensuring the financial stability of this press agency and preventing political interference in editorial work," said UKOM Director Petra Bezjak Cirman on the publication of the report.

As the Rule of Law Report for 2023 shows, Slovenia made progress in accordance with the recommendations made in the previous report, including with regard to the freedom of the media and justice system. The European Commission notes that there are still some challenges concerning media freedom and pluralism, although positive developments have been observed in these areas.

The European Commission notes that the STA's financial situation improved in 2022. The report states that since the publication of the previous report, stakeholders have not reported any political interference in the STA's editorial decisions, as the new Government had repealed the regulatory framework that allowed UKOM to finance the STA by items and not on an annual basis.

Under the contract on the financing of the public service provided by the STA, which the STA and UKOM signed in January 2023, the funds available to the STA increased by approximately 10% compared to the previous year. STA Director Igor Kadunc and STA employees welcomed the contract as an important step towards greater financial stability and an appropriate editorial policy.