EU State Leader Calls Journalists 'Bloodthirsty Bastards'
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico has issued a warning about creating a national media watchdog and instituting qualification exams for journalists. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has accused mainstream journalists of being “possessed by the devil” and proposed the establishment of a national media watchdog to address the “hate” propagated by reporters.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Fico, who survived an assassination attempt by a pro-Kiev writer amid persistent media criticism regarding his stance on Ukraine, displayed visible agitation when questioned about 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 asserted, dismissing any suggestions of a government 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 elaborated, specifically calling out major Slovak newspapers Dennik N and Sme, as well as the Aktuality.sk portal, all of which have been critical of his government since he reclaimed power for a fourth term after his Slovak Social Democracy party's electoral victory last September.
Fico further questioned, “You just want to do wrong at any cost, and that’s why the atmosphere in Slovakia is like this. Why did they shoot me in the stomach?”
The prime minister advocated for the creation of a “national media authority” and “sanctions” for journalists who do not rectify errors in their reporting. He also suggested that journalists might benefit from requalification courses, akin to those required for lawyers and public notaries.
”You should perhaps also be part of some professional associations, where you would face disciplinary procedures, similar to lawyers,” Fico emphasized, asserting that “such a media mess as we have in Slovakia doesn’t exist in any other EU country.”
His remarks quickly drew criticism from opposition politicians, some of whom accused Fico of undermining freedom of speech.
“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,” lamented lawmaker Zora Jaurova from the liberal opposition party Progressive Slovakia.
Veronika Remisova, chair of the For the People party, argued that by labeling journalists as "bloodthirsty bastards," the prime minister and his allies are contributing to the spread of hatred.
Fico survived a shooting incident on May 15 in Handlova while interacting with supporters. A 71-year-old suspect was apprehended at the scene and faces charges of attempted murder and terrorism.
In June, the Slovak prime minister claimed that the assassination attempt was orchestrated by foreign-affiliated politicians who oppose policies prioritizing Bratislava’s interests over those of prominent Western powers. He also cautioned against attempts by adversaries, including media outlets linked to billionaire political activist George Soros, to downplay the significance of the shooting.
”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 stated at that time.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
During a press conference on Tuesday, Fico, who survived an assassination attempt by a pro-Kiev writer amid persistent media criticism regarding his stance on Ukraine, displayed visible agitation when questioned about 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 asserted, dismissing any suggestions of a government 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 elaborated, specifically calling out major Slovak newspapers Dennik N and Sme, as well as the Aktuality.sk portal, all of which have been critical of his government since he reclaimed power for a fourth term after his Slovak Social Democracy party's electoral victory last September.
Fico further questioned, “You just want to do wrong at any cost, and that’s why the atmosphere in Slovakia is like this. Why did they shoot me in the stomach?”
The prime minister advocated for the creation of a “national media authority” and “sanctions” for journalists who do not rectify errors in their reporting. He also suggested that journalists might benefit from requalification courses, akin to those required for lawyers and public notaries.
”You should perhaps also be part of some professional associations, where you would face disciplinary procedures, similar to lawyers,” Fico emphasized, asserting that “such a media mess as we have in Slovakia doesn’t exist in any other EU country.”
His remarks quickly drew criticism from opposition politicians, some of whom accused Fico of undermining freedom of speech.
“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,” lamented lawmaker Zora Jaurova from the liberal opposition party Progressive Slovakia.
Veronika Remisova, chair of the For the People party, argued that by labeling journalists as "bloodthirsty bastards," the prime minister and his allies are contributing to the spread of hatred.
Fico survived a shooting incident on May 15 in Handlova while interacting with supporters. A 71-year-old suspect was apprehended at the scene and faces charges of attempted murder and terrorism.
In June, the Slovak prime minister claimed that the assassination attempt was orchestrated by foreign-affiliated politicians who oppose policies prioritizing Bratislava’s interests over those of prominent Western powers. He also cautioned against attempts by adversaries, including media outlets linked to billionaire political activist George Soros, to downplay the significance of the shooting.
”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 stated at that time.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
