By: Ž. K. (nova24tv.si)
Golob is feeling the pressure! How else could one explain why his lawyer, Stojan Zdolšek, convened a press conference and expelled a Tarča journalist from the event? This is a new indicator that Slovenia is sinking into authoritarianism, as the authorities (and evidently their lawyer) fail to grasp the basic principles of a free society.
From the footage, it is evident that upon entering the room, Zdolšek first checked which journalists were present in the conference room. When he noticed that a journalist from Tarča was among them, he immediately “showed her the door.”
He then stated that the press conference was not a “public event” and that he had invited only “these” media outlets, gesturing toward the rest of those present. When the journalist said she “did not understand,” Zdolšek replied in an authoritarian manner, “It does not matter if you understand.”
“It is irrelevant whether you understand. I did not invite you and I am not giving a statement to Tarča, it is fine,” he added.
Since the journalist insisted on staying in the office and tried to persuade him, he stepped outside and remained there until she left the room.
And which media outlets were allowed to stay? 24ur and RTV, though apparently a journalist from the latter more acceptable to Zdolšek. Vladimir Vodušek was also heard in the room; he recorded the unusual incident and published it on Strogo zaupno.
Why does Golob not explain the irregularities himself?
The press conference was held regarding a new draft report by the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (CPC) concerning Golob’s alleged political pressure on the police. The matter seems to weigh more heavily on the Prime Minister than he is willing to publicly admit, especially in light of his pre-election promise to resign if the CPC finds a violation of the Integrity Act. Tarča was unwelcome, as it is preparing a Thursday episode precisely on this topic.
We have sent journalistic inquiries regarding the matter to the Association of Journalists and Commentators and the Slovenian Journalists’ Association.
Poklukar also excluded media outlets
This is not the first time during Robert Golob’s government that a media outlet has been directly excluded from a press conference. The Ministry of the Interior, led by Boštjan Poklukar, also excluded Planet TV from one of its press conferences, offering no apology, only a “clarification” that the event was for invited media only.
