Statement of editors – in – chief accusing journalists Tódová and Čikovsky – SME.sk

We condemn the accusations made by journalists Denník N Konstantin Čikovsky and Monika Tódová for carrying out their work in connection with clarifying the murder of our colleague Ján Kuciak.

We see the accusation as another attempt to intimidate journalists who have been exposing the overstepping of high-ranking people for many years.

Recent developments are reminiscent of the situation a few years ago, when certain groups created an atmosphere of intolerance towards journalists in society. Among other things, she also contributed to the murder of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová.

We must not allow something like this to happen again.

The use of criminal law against journalists for the exercise of their profession is unacceptable in an EU Member State. To intimidate uncomfortable journalists, it is used mainly by dictatorial regimes, e.g. in Belarus.

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We stand behind our colleagues, we will not be intimidated and we will continue our work. We call on the competent institutions to lift the accusation that we consider to be purposeful.

We also call on the government to fulfill its promises of legislation to protect journalists.

• Beata Balogová, Editor – in – Chief, SME
• Matúš Kostolný, editor in chief, Denník N
• Peter Bárdy, editor – in – chief, Aktuality.sk
• Zuzana Petková, founder, Ján Kuciak Investigative Center
• Lukáš Diko, Director, Ján Kuciak Investigative Center
• Matúš Kostolný, editor in chief, Denník N
• Štefan Hríb, editor – in – chief .week
• Lucia Yar, Executive Editor – in – Chief, Euractiv
• Michaela Terenzani, Editor-in-Chief, The Slovak Spectator
• Jaroslav Vrabel, editor in chief, Corsair
• Cs. Liszka Györgyi, editor – in – chief, weekly Vasárnap
• Pether Palovič, head of news, Rádio Expres
• Braňo Závodský, Deputy Head of Intelligence, Rádio Expres
• Marcela Šimková, editor – in – chief, Hospodárske noviny
• Júlia Kováčová, Editor – in – Chief, New Time
• Alexej Fulmek, Chairman, Association of Print and Digital and Media
• Marian Zima, President, AONE