In the style of totalitarian regimes, the national media outlet, Radio-Television Slovenia (RTVS), has taken the liberty of censoring Donald Trump’s speech at his inauguration. During the broadcast of his speech, the interpreter removed the part where Trump stressed that the West had defeated communism as well as fascism. As journalist Petra Janša’s post shows, Planet TV showed the full translation of the speech, while RTV Slovenia simply ignored the word “communism”.
Donald Trump made it clear in his speech: “We defeated fascism and communism and triumphed over every single challenge that we faced.” But on RTV Slovenia, this part of the speech mysteriously became just a victory over fascism, with the word “communism” omitted. This “adaptation” of the text is not merely a professional error, but a blatantly politically motivated move.
Mojca Škrinjar commented on what was happening by saying, “At RTV Slovenia, even the interpreters are depoliticised. They are Tito‘s, Tito is theirs. Tito’s business is Tito’s business.” Is this really a time when a taxpayer-funded national media outlet can arbitrarily censor key historical and political points?
You wouldn’t believe it, but unfortunately it’s true. ‼️⚠️
The Soviet style censorship performed live on Slovenian National TV @RTV_Slovenija.
It is still forbidden to mention communism, socialism… in the negative context. Even when there is live stream translation. Watch: pic.twitter.com/1Xqm6fBT5L
— Janez Janša (@JJansaSDS) January 22, 2025
North Korea or modern Slovenia?
However, Miro Haček pointed out that such censorship has the opposite effect: “At least two-thirds of Slovenians understand the original English quite well, so such North Korean actions do more harm than good. Foolish.”
The blatant bias of the broadcaster is reminiscent of the methods of totalitarian regimes, where inconvenient truths were simply erased from history. In the same way, the text of Donald Trump’s swearing-in was shortened on the daily news show at RTV, omitting the last four words: “So help me God.”
And who is the interpreter?
Trump’s speech was interpreted by interpreter Maša Dolanc. We asked RTV why it censored the word communism and how they comment on this bias and unprofessional translation, especially for such important events as the inauguration of the President of the USA. Incidentally, it is interesting that the translator has the same surname as the former second man of the Communist Party, Stane Dolanc.
RTV: messenger of truth or political agenda?
It is unacceptable that 35 years after the fall of communism and more than 30 years after Slovenia gained its independence, RTV Slovenia is still distorting the truth and manipulating historical facts, and online users have heavily criticised RTV Slovenia for such a move. The question is once again raised whether RTV, if it cannot provide objective reporting, is still worthy of public funding. Actions such as the censorship this time only move us further away from the democracy and freedom of speech that we have worked so hard and so long to achieve.
Sara Kovač
