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The PS party regarding the STVR law addressed the European Commission, speaks of a conflict with EU legislation

by AI | 18.Nov 2025 | Europe in brief AI

The opposition Slovak movement PS is asking the European Commission to examine whether the law on STVR is in accordance with EU legislation.

The opposition party PS called on the European Commission to investigate the government law on STVR. PHOTO: TASR

Bratislava – The opposition movement Progressive Slovakia (PS) has turned to the European Commission (EC) regarding the law on Slovak Television and Radio (STVR). It is asking the EC to examine the compliance of the legislation with European law. The movement criticized the STVR law, which came into effect on July 1, 2024, as stated by National Council (NR) of the Slovak Republic member Zora Jaurová (PS) at a press conference on Tuesday, TASR reports.

“On Monday, symbolically on November 17, we submitted a citizen’s petition to the European Commission, asking it to examine the compliance of the STVR law with EU law, not only with the regulation on media freedom but also with the Treaty on the European Union. Article four of the Treaty states that there should be so-called loyal cooperation, meaning that no member state should adopt laws that contradict the objectives or laws already adopted by the Union. At the time when the Ministry of Culture put this law into consultation, the European Parliament had just approved this regulation, which was clearly in contradiction with the principle of loyal cooperation,” noted Zora Jaurová.

Jaurová again criticized the STVR law. She argued that it allowed direct political control over broadcasting. She pointed out that even during the legislative process, they warned of its possible conflict with European legislation and the Constitution of the Slovak Republic. She reminded that the opposition turned to the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic on this matter. She does not understand why the court has not yet issued a decision, as the consequences of the legislation on the functioning of STVR are, in her opinion, very clear.

She expressed her reservations about the situation and functioning of STVR after the changes were adopted. She spoke about the disruption of the balance in news reporting. She also claims that broadcasting is dismissing editors and canceling programs based on political orders. She criticized the functioning of the STVR Council as well. She also mentioned the conflict of interest of Lukáš Machala, who is the Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture’s office and also the Vice-Chairman of the council. (November 18)

“The STVR law allowed direct political control over broadcasting.” Zora Jaurová