Ensuring plurality and independence of media at the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija

Priority question for written answer P-002796/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
Milan Zver (PPE), Franc Bogovič (PPE), Romana Tomc (PPE)

Recently, anyone who is not ideologically aligned with the hard left and the ruling authorities has been removed from their post at the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija. In the name of depoliticisation, which is actually full politicisation, the following people have been removed: the director-general of RTV, the director of television, the editor-in-chief of news, the domestic policy editor, the foreign policy editor, the current affairs editor and the website editor, while the heads of current affairs programmes are also being removed. Programmes that are critical of the work of the government are being withdrawn. In addition, it has been announced that programmes which address the crimes of totalitarian regimes, particularly communism, will be withdrawn.

All of this is extremely problematic, especially in light of the fact that the Commission, through the European Media Freedom Act, is working to achieve pluralism and democratisation and enable the media to operate without political interference.

• 1.Will the Commission seek information about developments at the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija, where support for the incumbent authorities has become the main criterion to determine suitability for taking up editorial and other positions?
• 2.What measures will the Commission take to ensure pluralism and independence in national public institutions in the Member States?
• 3.How will the Commission monitor measures to protect editorial independence?

Submitted: 22.9.2023