Slovakia

2nd, Updated Edition, 2020:

Slovaks have access to a plethora of news platforms, but many of them are in the hands of powerful financial corporations, closely linked with political groups.

Powerful financial groups such as Penta Investments and J&T, and a handful of magnates including Ivan Kmotrik and Andrej Babis (who is also Czech Republic’s prime minister) exert decisive influence in the ownership of most major media companies. They are also close to politicians (if they are not themselves one), which means big leverage in regulatory affairs. The entry on the Slovak market of PPF, a Czech financial group led by another wealthy oligarch, Petr Kellner, which bought Markiza TV in 2019, is further cementing the oligarchic control in the country’s media.

Nevertheless, swelling demand for accurate, quality information boosts the country's independent journalism.

For more information on key data about Slovakia, take a look at the country factsheet. The executive summary is available here, and there are more detailed sections on Government, Politics and Regulation; Funding and Technology, Public Sphere and Journalism. The methodology of the report can be read here.

The Creative Commons license for the report is: Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

ISBN: 978-615-6107-02-2

Download the 2nd, updated edition of the
Media Influence Matrix Slovakia report (2018)

1st Edition, 2018

Slovaks consume news more frequently and in bigger amounts than ever before. They have access to a plethora of publications, news portals, radio and television stations. However, much of that is in the hands of a few powerful financial corporations, closely linked with political groups. Policymakers and regulators lack vision and have little interest in strengthening journalism. A handful of foreign players are still investing in news, but they are increasingly favoring investments in entertainment or are raring to exit the market completely. The Slovak public broadcaster has garnered kudos for its journalistic output in recent years, but a new management is poised to put an end to that.

Still, not all is gloom and doom on the Slovak news market. A new generation of professionals is shaking up the status quo, launching new political platforms and funding media start-ups.

For more information on key data about Slovakia, take a look at the country factsheet. The executive summary is available here, and there are more detailed sections on Government, Politics and Regulation; Funding and Technology, Public Sphere and Journalism. The methodology of the report can be read here.

The Creative Commons license for the report is: Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

ISBN: 978-963-386-298-8   

Download the 1st edition of the
Media Influence Matrix Slovakia report (2018)