We want to present to our readers yet another indication that journalism in Slovenia is by no means independent. The very journalists who shout loudest about “independence” and “professionalism” are often closely intertwined with the authorities. This is demonstrated by the latest move by the Ministry of the Interior, which invited only selected media outlets to a recent press conference. We have sent press questions to the ministry regarding this matter. We are still waiting for their answer.
The fact that Robert Golob‘s current government is trying to control the “independent” media as much as possible is also indicated by the latest event related to the press conference on the controversial purchase of the Leonardo helicopters. As we have reported on several occasions, this is a real fiasco, which is just the icing on the cake of Minister Boštjan Poklukar‘s incompetence.
Poklukar is part of the incompetent political cadre
The minister has completely “failed,” particularly in the area of ensuring the safety of Slovenian citizens. With this, we are, of course, referring to the deepening Roma problem and illegal migration. Even the most die-hard left-wing voters are beginning to realise that Poklukar is completely incompetent when it comes to leading the ministry. He is part of the worn-out cadre from the former List of Marjan Šarec (Lista Marjana Šarca – LMŠ) party.
At the beginning of August, we reported that paramedics and emergency medicine doctors had sent a public letter to the state demanding the cancellation of the tender for the purchase of two new helicopters, which were to be used for emergency medical assistance.
The affair could cost the minister his job
Their demands were almost completely ignored, so they came to the conclusion that the planned purchase would mainly strengthen the police. The Slovenian Democratic Party (Slovenska demokratska stranka – SDS) parliamentary group also demanded that the tender for the helicopters be cancelled. The reason for this is the unprofessional and non-transparent conditions of the tender in question. Even former minister of the coalition Social Democrats party (Socialni demokrati – SD), Maks Tajnikar, has criticised the purchase.
Only “our” journalists are welcome
Everything we have seen so far indicates that the matter is too much for Interior Minister Poklukar to handle. Additionally, journalist Luka Svetina pointed out recently: “Today, the Ministry of the Interior did not invite our media outlet, Planet TV, to its briefing on the controversial purchase of Leonardo helicopters, which will result in a protest by angry paramedics after the holidays. Our reporter was dismissed by a PR representative over the phone, who said that it was only for ‘invited journalists’. This is so shameful.”
On his X profile, social media user Mario Plešej responded to the post written by Svetina, writing: “This is an admission by those in power that there is a media outlet that is most likely not inherently biased or servile towards them, which is valuable information for users of mass media.”
We have since also received the response from the Ministry of the Interior, which reads: “At the Ministry of the Interior, we provide answers to journalists’ questions in accordance with the Media Act to all media outlets and journalists without exception. Journalists who have shown significant interest in the topic of the briefing in recent weeks were invited to the informal briefing.
We reject your allegations about the “Leonardo helicopter affair” and reiterate that the public procurement procedure for the purchase and maintenance of two helicopters for emergency medical services was prepared and conducted in a lawful, professional, and transparent manner. We have not received a request for the review of the contracting authority’s decision on the selection, and after the decision became final, we proceeded with the preparation of the contract.
The Minister of the Interior will not resign.”
Domen Mezeg
