The current Media Act had to be replaced by a new law because it does not take into account recent technological advances, changing media consumption habits, the emergence of social networks and the rise of artificial intelligence. It is also not aligned with the latest European media legislation, in particular the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) which will come into force in August 2025. Therefore, we have ensured that the new law is consistent with European media legislation.

As Dr Asta Vrečko, the Minister of Culture, explained: »The new law provides for greater transparency in media ownership and state advertising, requires the mandatory indication of the use of artificial intelligence in the media and ensures the disclosure of conflicts of interest that may affect comprehensive public information. It also introduces a new procedure for assessing media mergers (media concentration), which could have a negative impact on media diversity (pluralism) and editorial independence. The new law will enable more effective measures to combat the spread of hatred and intolerance. It will also facilitate the development of modern financial support schemes for the media, following the example of many other European countries that support quality media and journalism. To date, the media have been the only sector of the economy not eligible for financial aid. The law takes into account both the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), adopted earlier this year, and the Digital Services Act. It is one of the most modern media laws in Europe.«

In drafting the new law, we considered input from various stakeholders in the media environment – journalists, media publishers, regulators and civil society – while being guided primarily by the public interest: ensuring the population in Slovenia has the right to comprehensive information and freedom of expression. 

The new Media Act significantly overhauls and strengthens the existing call for proposals for co-financing media content, with a particular focus on supporting special-interest radio and television programmes, as well as independent and specialised media. Two new financial support schemes are also foreseen, one to support the digital transition of print media and the other to support digital media.

The new Media Act prohibits the installation of intrusive software on the communication devices of journalists and other media workers, and strengthens the protection of the right to safeguard journalistic sources. Some of the provisions of the Media Act will also apply to new forms of media, such as online platforms, social networks and influencers, whose activities reach out to the general public, seek to influence public opinion or make commercial use of their followers’ attention.