IPI urges Slovak lawmakers to reject right of reply for politicians
(World News Austria)

Lawmakers in Slovakia should reject a bill legally mandating a right of reply for politicians and public officials who claim their honour or reputation has been damaged in media reports, the International Press Institute (IPI) said today. The Slovak parliament is set for a final reading on the measure, introduced by Slovakia`s ruling Smer party, whose leaders, including former Prime Minister Robert Fico, regularly lash out at critical journalists. At a rally in December, Fico, who has previously called journalists `snakes` and `presstitutes`, said he would amend the country`s right of reply law to end `media terror and lynching`. Slovakia`s current Press Act provides a right of reply but...