“Brussels’ interference can be a double-edged sword. The success of the European intervention is questionable, especially if it would foster the feeling in Slovenian politics that the EU is not part of the solution, but part of the problem,” the “independent” and “transparent” newspaper Delo (work) wrote on Sunday, as they are worried about various “feelings” that might arise in Slovenian politics. Of course, they are trying to shake the government’s belief that a visit from the independent commission from Brussels, which would expose all the rottenness of our central media, would be sensible. In short, this is a manipulation, with which the very people who should really be afraid of what might happen are trying to create an atmosphere of fear. But if they did not get scared by the recent article in Politico, which was one long emotional outburst, below the level of any journalistic professionalism, then they should also not be afraid of another foreign, truly independent intervention that might actually do its job superbly. If they are honest in their reporting, then they have nothing to be afraid of.
The whole thing is as obvious as it possibly can be. Judging by the first reactions in the media, the transitional left is already trembling with fear because of the independent investigation, for which Prime Minister Janez Janša called. How do we know that? By taking a look at the reaction of their bulletin or political tool called Delo, which regularly broadcasts all their feelings and fears, and above all, faithfully opposes practically anything good that is done for the country by the current government of Janez Janša. Even now, they would surely not be this opposed to the idea of an independent investigation if they were not afraid. They do not show their opposition as hooligans, of course, but politely – as befits such a “transparent” and “professional” media outlet. You just have to read between the lines to see what they really think.
We have recently also published an article in which we analysed the reporting of the mainstream media. Practically none of the articles we analysed took a government-friendly position.
Namely, on the day of the analysis, the 26th of February 2021, not one single article was published which criticised the opposition, summarised the government’s narrative, or praised the government. However, if we are unfair and their reporting is objective, then what is there for them to be afraid of? Since they applauded the emotional outburst of the Politico journalist so loudly, saying that she did her job “professionally and thoroughly,” and since they seem to be very fond of various interventions from abroad, they clearly have nothing to be afraid of, because this time, the intervention really will be “professional” and “thorough.” Of course, we all know that the Politico journalist Lili Bayer did not, in fact, do a good, professional job when writing her article. She merely “thoroughly” wrote about all the fear that the Slovenian left activism has of Janša, and she did not even ask for the opinion of a single journalist who thinks differently, as they would proudly reveal their name and surname.
She also did not publish any data on the ownership shares in the media and did not do a single analysis of the daily reporting of individual media outlets – something that the socio-political commentator Tomaž Štih, for example, did do. She also forgot to publish the answers that the Slovenian government provided to her questions. In short, all of this was done very poorly. If she wants to fix the mistakes she made, the answers are available on the government’s website, written in English. But let’s get back to the point. The aforementioned newspaper wrote on Sunday: “Brussels’ interference can be a double-edged sword. The success of the European intervention is questionable, especially if it would foster the feeling in Slovenian politics that the EU is not part of the solution but part of the problem. The question is, what would happen if part of the Slovenian right came to a conclusion that, when it comes to the rule of law, freedom of the media or the standards of democracy, certain European institutions sided with its domestic political opponents.”
The newspaper is trying to scare “part of the Slovenian right” and comfort its readers
“Would they simply accept this, or would they perhaps also start looking at them through the prism of the internal political fights?” A short “translation” for the article: this is a similar concept of manipulation to the one used by Politico – they are using fear to drive their narrative. Delo warns “part of the Slovenian right” to think twice because the “boomerang” it wants to throw could fly back to it and “smack” it on the head, and at the same time, Delo is also trying to convince its readers that Janša’s proposal for the establishment of such a commission is senseless.
However, the only people that should be afraid are the journalists of the newspaper in question or the men behind it. The photograph they chose to publish in the article is also a very telling manipulation. This is the mentality of the left, which likes to complain to the West about Slovenia, and at the same time, flirts with the East, with the autocratic regimes from the periphery of Europe and Asia.
Domen Mezeg
