In recent years, the Slovak media world has been going through really rough times. The situation escalated in the public STVR during the past weekend. During the Radio_Head Awards, the artists criticized the interference in the public media, the layoffs in STVR and also spoke out against political decisions on funding for culture. In response to these statements, the management of the television station decided not to broadcast the recording of the award ceremony, writes
STVR General Director Martina Flašíková subsequently sent an open letter to the artistic community. You can read it Two big stars spoke about the tense situation in culture during the live broadcast of the dance show Let’s Dance on the Marquee. The words were taken first Ján Koleník and after him Petra Polnišová.
“I also want to say that in times when certain groups are trying to destroy culture in Slovakia and the situation is really not good for culture. Note that this program gave the opportunity to so many talented people this evening. We thank you for that, Pepe (director of the dance show Pepe Majeský, editor’s note), and your theater, and the dancers (he addressed the words to the judge Ján Ďurovčík, editor’s note). There are really groups that are not as visible as we were visible tonight, and we should be in solidarity with them,” said the actor. His words moved the whole hall and tears flowed in streams.
Polnišová expressed her opinion in the closing speech after her elimination from the dance competition. “And I would like to say how beautifully you support us. I hope and firmly believe that you will support culture and other such activities in Slovakia. Because so far we are not getting that support from the people we should be getting it from. And I really thank all the viewers for every single vote,” she declared.
The words that resonated in the media space did not escape the attention of Adela Vinczeová either. The presenter at STVR and Markíz ended up in turbulent circumstances. You can read more about it. Denník N asked her how she perceives the reaction of Flašíková, who has bequeathed many successes to critical artists outside the public media.
“I perceive it as already happening quite functionally. Other artists speak for the canceled artists on other TV channels, where they could have spoken earlier. However, nothing threatens them for this “courage”. This is how they help commercial television artfully create an illusory image of a free medium. So everything fits nicely into the colorful picture, which will fade in the squares in two days, just like all the previous ones,” Vincze responded bluntly.
It started to be stuffy in the Marquis around the summer of 2024. It all started after moderator Michal Kovačič publicly accused the management of attempted censorship. Some colleagues stood up for him and that’s when everything started to go downhill. Vincze ended her work on television at the end of 2024. This was mainly due to the conflict between her husband Viktor Vincze and the management of the Marquis. At the same time, many others who stood on the same side also said goodbye to their employer.
Her former colleagues from Markíza responded to Adela’s statement about Koleník and Polnišová on the social network. One of them was the former editor of Televízne Novín Adel Ghannam, which announced its end on August 30, 2024. “Finally, I’m not the first nitpick, but this is exactly what came to mind. I stand up for my colleagues in public law and where I make money I smell like a louse under a scab. You are not dissidents.” he declared.
The former editor of Televízne Novína on Markíza also spoke Gabriela Kajtárováwho announced on social media in early June 2025 that she was also leaving television. “I don’t want to spoil the national applause. It’s just a reminder,” she alerted her fans as she shared Adele’s words.
Even the former face of the main news did not remain silent Zuzana Čimová, who worked as Viktor Vincze’s colleague. She said goodbye to Markíza on September 7, 2025. “I observe with astonishment and surprise the moods, opinions and special moments of “critical” thinking around us. And then at the end of the day, the brighter ones will still come.” she wrote to Vincze’s statement. You can find a PHOTO of the posts in the gallery.
