EU Country’s Prime Minister Labels Journalists as ‘bloodthirsty bastards’
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has warned of the possibility of creating a national media watchdog and implementing qualification exams for journalists. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico has criticized the press for fostering the environment of animosity that he claims led to a gunman shooting him in the stomach last May.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Fico accused journalists from leading media organizations of being “possessed by the devil” and threatened to create a national media oversight body. He also proposed implementing professional qualification exams to control the “hate” propagated through their articles.
He expressed his frustration when questioned about the tensions within his three-party governing coalition. “From the first day, when the results of the parliamentary elections came in, you went against us like bloodthirsty bastards from morning to night,” Fico remarked, rejecting any suggestion of a governmental crisis.
“Do you read your articles after you’ve written them? I don’t think you do… It’s pure hate. You’re possessed by the devil,” he continued, naming prominent Slovak newspapers Dennik N and Sme, along with the Aktuality.sk portal, which have criticized his administration since he reclaimed power for a fourth term after his Slovak Social Democracy party's electoral victory in September.
Fico blamed the media for contributing to a violent atmosphere in Slovakia, questioning, “Why did they shoot me in the stomach?”
He voiced support for a proposed “national media authority” that could impose “sanctions” on journalists who fail to address mistakes in their reporting. Fico also recommended that journalists partake in requalification courses akin to those required for legal and public notary professions.
“You should perhaps also be part of some professional associations, where you would face disciplinary procedures, similar to lawyers,” Fico asserted, emphasizing the need for government intervention due to the “media mess” in Slovakia, which he claimed is unmatched in any other EU nation.
These remarks prompted backlash from opposition figures, with some accusing Fico of undermining freedom of speech. MP Zora Jaurova of the liberal opposition party Progressive Slovakia stated, “The idea of a national media authority that would control journalists is nothing more than a thinly veiled effort to censor and limit the media, which exists perhaps only in North Korea.” Veronika Remisova, chair of the For the People party, criticized the PM’s labeling of journalists as bloodthirsty bastards, asserting that he and his “cronies” are perpetuating hatred themselves.
In earlier statements, Fico suggested that the assassination attempt that nearly claimed his life in May was instigated by foreign-affiliated politicians resistant to prioritizing Bratislava's interests over those of significant Western powers. He cautioned against attempts by adversaries, including media platforms funded by billionaire political activist George Soros, to minimize the seriousness of the assassination attempt.
“I want to ask the anti-government media, especially those co-owned by George Soros’ financial structure, not to go down this path and to respect not only the gravity of the reasons for the attempted murder but also the consequences of this attempt,” Fico said in June.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
At a press conference on Tuesday, Fico accused journalists from leading media organizations of being “possessed by the devil” and threatened to create a national media oversight body. He also proposed implementing professional qualification exams to control the “hate” propagated through their articles.
He expressed his frustration when questioned about the tensions within his three-party governing coalition. “From the first day, when the results of the parliamentary elections came in, you went against us like bloodthirsty bastards from morning to night,” Fico remarked, rejecting any suggestion of a governmental crisis.
“Do you read your articles after you’ve written them? I don’t think you do… It’s pure hate. You’re possessed by the devil,” he continued, naming prominent Slovak newspapers Dennik N and Sme, along with the Aktuality.sk portal, which have criticized his administration since he reclaimed power for a fourth term after his Slovak Social Democracy party's electoral victory in September.
Fico blamed the media for contributing to a violent atmosphere in Slovakia, questioning, “Why did they shoot me in the stomach?”
He voiced support for a proposed “national media authority” that could impose “sanctions” on journalists who fail to address mistakes in their reporting. Fico also recommended that journalists partake in requalification courses akin to those required for legal and public notary professions.
“You should perhaps also be part of some professional associations, where you would face disciplinary procedures, similar to lawyers,” Fico asserted, emphasizing the need for government intervention due to the “media mess” in Slovakia, which he claimed is unmatched in any other EU nation.
These remarks prompted backlash from opposition figures, with some accusing Fico of undermining freedom of speech. MP Zora Jaurova of the liberal opposition party Progressive Slovakia stated, “The idea of a national media authority that would control journalists is nothing more than a thinly veiled effort to censor and limit the media, which exists perhaps only in North Korea.” Veronika Remisova, chair of the For the People party, criticized the PM’s labeling of journalists as bloodthirsty bastards, asserting that he and his “cronies” are perpetuating hatred themselves.
In earlier statements, Fico suggested that the assassination attempt that nearly claimed his life in May was instigated by foreign-affiliated politicians resistant to prioritizing Bratislava's interests over those of significant Western powers. He cautioned against attempts by adversaries, including media platforms funded by billionaire political activist George Soros, to minimize the seriousness of the assassination attempt.
“I want to ask the anti-government media, especially those co-owned by George Soros’ financial structure, not to go down this path and to respect not only the gravity of the reasons for the attempted murder but also the consequences of this attempt,” Fico said in June.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
