The Czech Committee of the International Press Institute responded to Robert Fico’s words last week. The Slovak Prime Minister criticized the alleged interference of the Czech political and media scene in the internal political affairs of the Slovak Republic. In his criticism he addressed directly the Czech ambassador to Slovakia Rudolf Jindrák. “It is not right when any attitudes, views or recommendations arrive at the other side of Moravia,” Fico said.
The Slovak Prime Minister had a problem especially with the image that the Czech media should spread about Slovakia. “He is far beyond the load -bearingness and any idea of decency,” Fico said. He is known for the long -term criticism of the media and journalists as such.
At the same time, Fico also criticized Czech politicians. He accused them of interfering with matters of Slovakia. He objected to this yesterday: “The fact that I sometimes look at Slovak politics, sometimes I am surprised and sometimes shake my head, all this is true. But what things I will keep for myself. However, no one can prevent me from mentioning the steps of the Slovak government that go from my point of view against the interests of the Czech Republic, ”said Fiala on the issues of Václav Moravec of Czech Television.
Irresponsible and dangerous
This time Czech journalists themselves are also defending against the attacks. In an open letter, Fico called for a change of rhetoric. Under the letter is signed by the editor -in -chief of Czech server Robert Čásenský. He is also the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Czech branch of the international NGO IPI, which is devoted to the protection of freedom of speech, informs Seznam.
In the Prime Minister’s letter, they ask to respect the principles of freedom of speech, which are one of the basic pillars of the democratic world. “This is true not only in relation to the Czech media, but also in the direction of the media in Slovakia, which also often become the target of strong verbal attacks from you personally from your colleagues and allies,” he says in a letter.
“The portrayal of some editors as the“ enemies of the nation ”is not only irresponsible, but also potentially dangerous. You yourself know how far too much radicalization can lead. Therefore, with regard to our Slovak colleagues, we call on you to abandon similar accusations, “the journalists ask.
Full wording of the open letter:
Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
We are turning to you in response to your statements towards the Czech media, in which you have criticized, among other things, the image they apparently create about you and your government. The International Press Institute is an international journalistic organization that has been dealing with the Freedom of Media for seventy -five years. It was founded at Columbia University in the US in 1950 a total of 34 journalists from different countries. Today it works globally with branches in many countries.
In 2018, the Czech National Committee of the International Press Institute (CZ IPI) was established, which aimed to monitor the violation of the principles of media freedom and attacks on journalistic independence in the Czech Republic. And also respond to these situations. Now, as members of the Board of Directors of the CZ IPI, we consider it important to respond to the statements you have repeatedly lectured to the Czech media. Among other things, the fact that the media in the neighboring country does not belong to bringing attitudes and views of events in Slovakia and that they are unbearable to describe your government. We consider these statements at least unfortunate and appeal to colleagues in Slovak editors so that they cannot be influenced in any way. Free media are those that inform their readers, viewers or listeners to their best conscience. They respect ethical and professional standards, but do not let themselves dictate what they are supposed to or should not report. This applies to both domestic and foreign themes.
Free media assess the importance and priority of the events themselves, regardless of whether they like the holders of the power they describe and comment. This also applies to attitudes to governments and prime ministers of other countries. If the media report on political events in other countries, this cannot be described as interfering with internal affairs. Such allegations to free media have always been most often lectured by representatives of various autocratic regimes. We believe that it is definitely not and will not be the case of the Slovak Republic.
We perceive your statements in this context as an effort to portray the Czech media as an enemy and pull them into your own political agenda. We consider this to be completely inadmissible.
Dear Prime Minister, we ask you to respect the principles of freedom of speech, which are one of the basic pillars of the democratic world. This is true not only in relation to the Czech media, but also in the direction of the media in Slovakia, which also often become the target of strong verbal attacks from you personally from your colleagues and allies. The portrayal of some editors as the “enemies of the nation” is not only irresponsible, but also potentially dangerous. You yourself know how far too much radicalization can lead. Therefore, with regard to our Slovak colleagues, we call on you to abandon similar accusations. We believe that a responsible politician at the head of the government of a democratic country can recognize and respect the basic principles of media freedom. We will be glad if you convince us about your next steps.
For the right advice of the SKIPI IPI
Robert Čásenský, chairman
