24 May 1996

Alert

Concern at statements directed against media




IPI is concerned at statements directed against the Slovak media
by Ivan Lexa, head of Slovakia's intelligence service (SIS). In a
22 May 1996 report to Parliament, Lexa dismissed the findings of a
committee headed by Ladislav Pittner, a member of the Christian
Democratic Movement. The findings accused Lexa, the SIS and
Interior Minister Ludovit Hudek of complicity in last August's
kidnapping of President Michal Kovac's son. Lexa accused the
committee of working together with certain media (including Radio
Free Europe, the daily "Sme", the private radio station Twist
Radio and the Czech station Nova) to create an anti-Slovak
atmosphere. He is further reported to have said that journalists
who publish "state secrets" or spread "lies" can no longer expect
any leniency.




Recommended Action


Send appeals to Slovak authorities:
  • expressing concern at this unveiled threat against the media, and
    at the increasingly hostile climate for journalists in Slovakia
  • strongly urging them to ensure that both domestic and foreign
    journalists in Slovakia are allowed to exercise their profession
    without fear of political harassment





    Appeals To



    His Excellency Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar
    Office of the Government of the Slovak Republic
    Bratislava, Slovakia
    Fax: +427 5315 487






    Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.






    Source:

    International Press Institute
    Spiegelgasse 2/29
    A-1010 Vienna
    Austria
    ipi (@) freemedia.at
    Phone: +43 1 5129011
    Fax: +43 1 5129014
    @globalfreemedia
     

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    • Slovakia

    European Court of Human Rights overrules libel decision 29 July 2011 Prime minister accuses media of conspiring to undermine government 22 December 2009 IPI urges Slovak agency to drop case against newspaper 3 June 2009 Prime minister threatens action against journalists who cover groups said to "promote separatism" 9 April 2009 Radio broadcaster fined for libel, "truth distorting" 25 November 2008 See all alerts: Slovakia


     
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