“Thank you for caring about the free media space, which is the cornerstone of democracy,” Zala Klopčič wrote at the launch of a petition against the new media law, adopted by the government on the 31st of December 2024. This law threatens to severely restrict freedom of speech and media independence, and to lead to censorship that will affect all of our lives.
Anyone who uses a platform to disseminate information, to express an opinion or to educate followers will now be considered part of the media. Thus, all podcasters, influencers, vloggers and others will have to register in the Media Register. Enrolment in the register means that the individual will have to comply with all the acts relating to the law, which are also very complicated to understand. Anyone on the register will have to physically archive their content for a certain period of time, in case of inspection, warned influencer Zala Klopčič.
She also pointed out that it is not clearly stated who is even considered an influencer, which leaves open the possibility that it could be anyone who posts anything on social media. “All media will be banned from any public dissemination of content that incites hatred, violence or discrimination. It sounds great, but in practice, only individuals who are hostile to the authorities will be sanctioned. For example, if someone criticises the work of the government, this could already be an offence,” she stressed.
You can sign the petition at the following link: https://www.peticija.online/proti_vmeavanju_politike_v_medije_in_socialna_omreja
Under the control of the state
So, if you have influence, which is not clearly defined anywhere, and you do not add your name to the register, you are automatically in breach of the law. However, if you do register, you are under constant subjective control of the state, which can then decide whether your publications are controversial or not. The law will impose a heavy bureaucratic burden on “influencers” and make it concretely more difficult for them to work and earn a living. In addition, it provides for strict labelling of advertisements and, at the same time, prohibits advertising on media platforms, which is a pure paradox.
“This is a blatant attempt to silence individuals and restrict freedom of speech,” concluded Klopčič, adding that the petition calls on the government to immediately withdraw the draft law regulating the media. At the same time, it is also a call for the government to stop tabling such attempts at undemocratic laws.
Sara Kovač
