The journalists of the Slovenian public broadcaster RTV Slovenija have announced a day-long strike for next Monday. In doing so, they are intensifying the strike activities with which they have been demanding editorial and institutional autonomy for months.
The negotiations with the management brought no progress after more than three months, the situation has even worsened, said the RTV unions.
On TV Slovenija (TVS), where the situation is most turbulent, journalists complain about mass threats of disciplinary measures and dismissals, as well as increasing pressure on their autonomy.
Criticism of the new TV director
The new TV director Uros Urbanija was particularly criticized. He is accused of exceeding his powers by dictating the content and guests of TV shows and pressuring employees with disciplinary threats. Urbanija, who headed the government press office under the former government of right-wing conservative ex-Prime Minister Janez Jansa and was appointed the new TV boss despite protests, rejects all allegations.
On Monday, RTV journalists plan to hold a day-long strike after warning strikes in May and June. In addition, a rally in front of the parliament building is planned for the evening.
calls for autonomy
Since the spring, journalists have been demanding editorial and institutional autonomy, a depoliticization of the institution and the resignation of the entire management. The management, in particular general director Andrej Grah Whatmough, TV editor-in-chief Jadranka Rebernik and also the new TV director, are accused of political bias in favor of Jansa and his Democratic Party (SDS).
Changes in the law, with which the new left-liberal government wants to ban political influence from broadcasting, are being blocked by the SDS with referendum plans.