Press freedom in Slovakia not ideal, but best within Central Europe

Based on the 2017 edition of the World Press Freedom Index, which is annually compiled and published by the international NGO Reporters Without Borders, over the last year Slovakia's position fell by 5 ranks, from 12^th to 17^th place. At the same time, it is the highest position from within the Central European region, with the Czech Republic ranking 23^rd, Poland 54^th and Hungary 71^st. Even though the rather favourable ranking is based on the fact that no journalists, netizens or media assistants were killed in Slovakia last year, the report points to the growing hostility that politicians display towards journalists, as well as the high number of legal actions against journalists brought by businessmen, politicians, and judicial officials. The report also notes the actions of the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who is known for often losing his temper with journalists. One example of this could be the situation from November 2016, when Robert Fico described several journalists as "filthy anti-Slovak prostitutes" after being asked about a corruption case and then refused to apologize. Overall, Reporters Without Borders underline the need for press freedom, which has never been as threatened as it is now, in the "new post-truth era of fake news", strongmen and propaganda.