By: Peter Jančič
In the second quarter, state statisticians measured a significantly lower growth rate than in the first. Only 0.7 percent. This is far below our government’s plans, by at least half. That is what Delo writes. The main reason is said to be a decline in exports, which could be problematic for a country whose prosperity depends on such industries. The situation at home in the construction sector is also reportedly less encouraging than planned, as post-flood recovery and the rapid provision of a large number of new housing units, which the government continually promises, are not progressing adequately.
In the meantime, the media has been reporting on how citizens are beating up police officers, and in some media outlets, there are even reports that in Kosovo, local police have once again arrested the well-known protester against the previous government, Anis Ličina. This has not been officially announced. It is being concealed. Just as it was concealed by TV Slovenia, even after POP TV surprisingly published everything.
The fact that police officers are being beaten already shows how deprived the public is of rights. They are not even allowed to know who is beating the police. In the Kočevje region, we “learned” that the police were attacked by citizens. Until recently, those citizens were led by the now European Parliament member, Vladimir Prebilič. In reality, it was not those citizens. However, Prebilič is certainly partly responsible for the problems, though not the only one. The police are simply prohibited from informing the public about the Roma, migrants, immigrants from other republics, or criminals.
This way, the poor performance of the authorities can be hidden almost anywhere.
This time, it could not be completely hidden because a video emerged.
The false claims about the independence of the media and journalists from the authorities became evident when there were no loud protests against the completely inaccurate reporting. The truth was concealed from the people because those in Ljubljana are also responsible for the problems with the Roma community. The issues with the Roma in the Dolenjska region have not been resolved for decades, which is why there are constant flare-ups there, unlike in Pomurje. In the end, it is the people and everyone else who are blamed—except for those who make the decisions.
This is the state of press and media independence in our country – depoliticised. However, when it comes to reporting on Anis Ličina, POP TV surprised the ruling authorities by revealing what should have remained hidden. It is unclear whether this bold move is connected to the concurrent developments involving Serbian tycoon Dragan Šolak’s United Group acquiring T-2, which would not be possible without the silent assistance of Robert Golob’s government. This acquisition would create a larger telecom operator than Telekom. Telecommunications companies are the main source of revenue and profit for POP TV, and Šolak is also a significant player and competitor in the Balkan media market. Dangerous.
Regarding Ličina, I had already pointed out on Siol – which left-centre parties would immediately sell to Šolak’s Serbian competitors, Telekom, if they could – that during the previous government, the police were investigating him for drug trafficking. He was later convicted, which is why he was not among those whom Robert Golob, Urška Klakočar Zupančič, and others gratefully welcomed and photographed with after the elections, as they did with those who helped them come to power. He did not attain the status of Jaša Jenull, Teja Jarc, Zoran Stevanović, or Nika Kovač. Associating with him would have been too damaging for the ruling authorities.
In recent days, extreme activists from the ruling parties have angrily insisted online that Ličina had nothing to do with the protests, as if we were all completely demented and foolish.
Or perhaps the “disconnected”, which is the latest right supposedly guaranteed by our government. It means that during vacations, there are no obligations to the job that provides you with money to live on or to the company or state you lead. This is certainly nice. People are often pestered during holidays without any particular need. But not always.
In government jobs, even in the government itself, a complete disconnect is possible. All costs are covered by taxpayers. For instance, left-wing politicians who praised this novelty the most – like Asta Vrečko, Luka Mesec, Simon Maljevac, and even the not-so-successful European candidate Nataša Sukič, who might indeed need a disconnect now after her electoral defeat, which was even worse than Violeta Tomić’s five years ago – can afford it.
Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, cannot afford to think about such things too much because their existence could be at risk. And the existence of those they employ. Growth will then be even lower, if not leading to a recession. The same applies to farmers. If you do not seize the opportunity when the weather and timing are right, there will be a cost. Disconnecting does not take care of the fields or milk the cows. And the politicians who determine the right to disconnect certainly will not cover the damages.
As a journalist and editor, even when I worked in media that was indirectly or directly state-owned, the right to disconnect never even crossed my mind when it came to important events or urgent reactions in the media. If you make a serious mistake that can affect many people, it must be corrected as soon as possible, and “disconnect” is a completely absurd idea. Even when you are far away on vacation.
Duties come first, then rights.
Moreover, politicians have written extremely short deadlines into the media law, within which the responsible editor must respond to demands for corrections and replies and coordinate with journalists. There is no right to disconnect there. On the contrary, there are prescribed legal proceedings and penalties if you do not respond within 24 hours or a few days.
We have somewhat disconnected politicians, a public that no longer has the right to know almost anything because they have been disconnected, and those of us who cannot afford to be careless.
And we can only marvel at the crazy stories about how all citizens are supposedly beating up police officers, for which apparently no one is ever to blame.