GOVSI podcast: Broadening the selection of public communications channels

15. 1. 2024

The first governmental podcast, entitled “GOVSI podcast”, is being prepared by the Government Communication Office of the Republic of Slovenia (UKOM). This is a (video) podcast of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia by means of which we will broaden the conventional methods of informing and communicating with the public and thereby enhance the transparency of the Government’s operations.

The guests of the first governmental podcast were Tanja Fajon, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, and Marjan Šarec, Minister of Defence. The broadcast was hosted by Boštjan Lajovic. | Author UKOM

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As per the Government’s Rules of Procedure, UKOM is obliged to ensure the openness of the Government’s work. The podcast will be dedicated to an in-depth presentation of governmental content and other topical social themes. In addition to a more direct contact with the public, this method of communication gives space for a thorough and also clearer explanation of governmental decisions, plans, policies or opinions.

The guests will be interesting and very diverse – from ministers, state secretaries and other governmental representatives to experts of various professions and skill sets.

The podcast will be fully produced and recorded at the UKOM premises and will feature several hosts. As a rule, the latter will be employees in state or public administration and, if necessary (considering the content of an episode), we will also cooperate with external colleagues. The broadcasts are expected to be published on Friday mornings. One to two broadcasts per month are currently planned.

A podcast is digital content that can be downloaded from the Internet to a computer or a portable device. This is one of the established communications channels with increasing popularity abroad. Certain European governments, including Germany, France, the Austrian Parliament and the Italian and Belgian foreign ministries, use this method of communicating with their citizens.

The podcast will be available for listening or watching on all popular platforms for podcasts, such as Apple, Spotify, Amazon, Google Podcasts, the governmental website, GOVSI podcast, the governmental YouTube channel, and the Government’s social networks.

The first podcast will be available as soon as 19 January 2024. The selection of the first topic was not coincidental. This year marks 20 years since Slovenia’s accession to the European Union and the NATO Alliance. On 1 January 2024, Slovenia also became a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for two years. To this end, the first guests of the podcast will be Tanja Fajon, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, and Marjan Šarec, Minister of Defence.

You are welcome to watch and listen to the GOVSI podcast.