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Description
Slovene Association of Journalists brings the journalistic community together, represents its interests and protects journalists. It promotes adherence to ethical and professional standards, offers vocational education and nurtures excellence in journalism. The association advocates a systemic environment for the safe and independent work of journalists. It promotes trust in the media and journalism in the public interest.
The association has more than 800 members. It provides them with assistance, services, and protection and represents their interests. With ten working groups they are present in all major Slovenian media. They also unite journalists regionally, including self-employed journalists and journalism students. In the coming years they want to increase the number of their members and thus improve the resilience of the journalistic community to pressures.
The key problem of the Slovenian media is the lack of understanding and financing to safeguard the jobs of journalists with high ethical standards and to educate members of editorial boards. There is a noticeable decline in the quality of journalistic content. The divide between journalists and their audience is widening. Traditional media are losing the battle with online platforms. Another cause for concern is that the sector is lagging behind in regulating copyright. The association will develop competencies and forge alliances for the successful transposition of the EU directives. They will also establish mechanisms to ensure respect for copyright and fair compensation. Journalists are exposed to threats and attacks from anonymous as well as known sources, and the response of the police and the public prosecutor''s office is insufficient. The feeling of being threatened is one of the main dangers to freedom of expression. Therefore, the association will systematically monitor the attacks and develop the ability of journalists and editorial offices to respond to them.
Summary of project results
One of the main problems of Slovenian media is the lack of understanding and funding for two key solutions – maintaining jobs for quality journalists with high ethical standards and educating editorial staff members. Slovenian media have not been investing in knowledge and education for a decade. Traditional media are losing the battle against various online platforms and social media. In small media markets, which are further limited by language, there is a lack of funding for journalism. Searching for alternatives is crucial. The sector''s backlog in managing copyright issues is also worrying.
Due to political pressures, the systemic conditions for the functioning of the media are deteriorating.
Particularly concerning are the threats and attacks on journalists, which come from both the top of Slovenia''s political and economic elite, as well as from more or less anonymous commentators and through social media. The response from the police and the prosecution in these attacks is insufficient, as is the ability of editorial teams to protect journalists. The feeling of being endangered is one of the main threats to freedom of expression in any environment.
As part of implementing the strategy, the following activities were carried out to attract and rejuvenate membership. The operation of the Center for Quality Media Content was established as a hub for acquiring and exchanging relevant knowledge and skills for professional journalists. They set up the first Slovenian online platform for reporting attacks on journalists. Its visibility was ensured through a series of promotional activities and the launch of a pilot project offering legal advice for attacked journalists. By the end of 2021, journalists were familiar with the platform and consistently used it to inform the public about attacks on them. The Journalistic Honor Court held a series of consultations within the journalistic community, through which they narrowed the gap between the normative requirements of the Code of Journalists of Slovenia and journalistic practice
As organizational development results, they succeeded in:
- Increasing the protection of journalists – 5 editorial offices now have functioning protection mechanisms, 75 new members during the reporting period, and 20 events held in the local/regional environment on the topic of protection.
- Published an online platform for reporting attacks on journalists – 26 attacks were reported during the reporting period.
- Increasing solidarity among journalists – joint actions carried out (Second (Autumn) Round of the ''Za obSTAnek'' campaign, Support for RTV Slovenia colleagues and strikes, ''RTV is Law'' campaign, support for journalists of Večer).
- Improving advocacy practices – Campaign for raising awareness and adopting anti-SLAPP legislation and Submission of comments on the draft Media Act and the new resolution on the National Program for Culture 2024–2031.