Slovakia: New draft law threatens internet freedom

October 7th, 2011

A draft law has been published by the Slovakian Ministry of Finance which could result in the blocking of some web servers. The bill would mean that web servers that provide online gambling without a license would be put on a list, which would be updated twice a month, and blocked by internet providers. Critics have warned that under this law, Facebook would also be blocked completely, due to the availability of online roulette and and poker games. An online petition created by Society for Open Information Technologies (SOIT) has been signed by thousands of citizens.

Slovak politicians lose right of reply

March 3rd, 2011

The Slovak government has made alterations to a controversial media law which guaranteed politicians, readers and state institutions a right of reply. This was allowed even where allegations made about them were true, but Prime Minister Iveta Radicova, an opposition legislator, announced on Wednesday that politicians would lose this right.

Slovakia’s press protests against new laws

April 14th, 2008

On 11 April, seven leading Slovakian dailies – SME, Pravda, Hospodarske, Noviny, Novy Cas, Plus 1 Den and Uj Szo published issues with nothing on the front page apart from a black-bordered editorial criticising the country’s new media law. (more…)

Slovakian bill threatens media freedom

January 30th, 2008

A bill submitted to parliament by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in late 2007 is garnering criticism for curbing press freedom. (more…)