In light of the upcoming referendums on the 27th of November, where voters will also be deciding on the amendment to the Radio-Television Slovenia Act, Manfred Weber, President of the European People’s Party (EPP), has expressed his concern about the amendment to the Radio-Television Slovenia Act. He said in a statement that he finds it “particularly unacceptable that ruling parties try to subdue with false promises a law that is of an exceptional national interest.”
“The European People’s Party has always stood up for democracy, the rule of law and media freedom. We believe that it is inadmissible that such an important law, as the law on public radio and television, is adopted without a public debate and through an urgency procedure,” Manfred Weber, President of the European People’s Party, wrote in a statement, saying that it is unacceptable that the Radio-Television Slovenia Act is being adopted “in such a fast-track procedure and without a public debate.”
Slovenian Members of the European Parliament Romana Tomc (SDS/EPP), Milan Zver (SDS/EPP) and Franc Bogovič (SLS/EPP) expressed their satisfaction at the
support of the European People’s Party (EPP), which “condemns the attempt of a political takeover of RTV by the ruling coalition.”
President of the political group the European People’s Party, Manfred Weber, wrote in the statement that the European People’s Party has always stood up for democracy, the rule of law and media freedom. “This is why we are extremely concerned about the intended changes to the media legislation in Slovenia.”
Weber: we have already seen similar attempts in some other countries and have strongly condemned them
According to Weber, it is unacceptable that such an important law is adopted through an urgency procedure and without a public debate. The European People’s Party finds it unacceptable that “the ruling parties try to subdue with false promises a law that is of an exceptional national interest. Slovenian national broadcaster is the only public, non-profit radio and television organisation in Slovenia, and is as such the property of all Slovenian citizens.” They also strongly reject the financial exhaustion of RTV and threats to remove its management and journalists who do not conform to the politics of the ruling parties. They also called on the Slovenian government “to refrain from such undemocratic actions. We call on them to fully respect European values and to ensure an environment where the media can operate freely and without political pressure.”
Tanja Brkić
