The News Media Landscape: An overview of the context of Press Freedom and Regulation in Slovakia

The News Media Landscape: An Overview of the Context of Press Freedom and Regulation in Slovakia examines the structure, regulation and cultural context of journalism in Slovakia. The report was produced as part of the Arts and Humanities Research Council funded project Defining Freedom of the Press: A Cross-National Examination of Press Ethics and Regulation, which explores and compares systems of press freedom and ethics across a range of European democracies. It outlines constitutional protections for freedom of expression, the regulatory framework governing print, broadcast and online media, and the role of self-regulation. The report analyses the Slovak media landscape, including media ownership, market concentration, and political pressures on both public service and commercial media. It also examines patterns of audience news consumption, public trust, and the growth of digital-native news providers. Further sections explore journalism culture, professional challenges and the impact of political polarisation, misinformation and hostility toward journalists. The report provides a detailed national case study designed to inform comparative research on press regulation, ethics and media freedom within democratic systems.