Established private TV stations Markiza and Joj are the market leaders. Radio and TV Slovakia (RTVS) is the public broadcaster.
The media are generally “free and independent, despite substantial pressure on journalists exerted by both from the government and from outlets’ owners”, says Freedom House.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says that the 2018 murder of journalist Jan Kuciak from the Aktuality news website “triggered an unprecedented political earthquake”.
Since taking office in October 2023, Robert Fico’s government has set its sights on Slovakia’s public broadcaster, submitting plans to abolish the institution and replace it with one under virtual state control.
Many outlets are directly or indirectly owned by Slovak financial groups Penta and J&T. All the major newspapers are privately-owned. The best-selling daily is the tabloid Novy Cas.
There were 4.9 million internet users by July 2022, comprising 90% of the population (InternetWorldStats.com). Azet.sk is the leading online portal.
Facebook is the most popular social network, followed by domestic platform Pokec.sk.