Coalition representatives condemn charges against journalists

Culture Minister Natalia Milanova (OLaNO) stated on Monday that she supports Monika Todova and Konstantin Cikovsky, journalists at the daily Dennik N, who were both charged earlier in the day by police with compromising confidential information. "Journalists must be better protected if we expect them to deliver investigative reporting and to point out crimes that take place in this country. The state is supposed to protect them, not only stand by and watch, like when Jan Kuciak was murdered," stated Milanova. Meanwhile, a member of the parliamentary culture and media committee, Roman Foltin (SaS), noted in this regard that the charges pressed against the journalists "reek" of purpose-built action. "Furthermore, this took place at a time when the investigations into scandals such as Gorilla have been suspended. Therefore, it's appropriate to raise the question whether this is nothing other than an attempt to silence independent journalists," said Foltin. "I get the feeling from these accusations that the culprit is being confused with the victim. These journalists are being prosecuted for writing the truth," stated media and culture committee head Kristian Cekovsky.
Investment Minister and For the People party head Veronika Remisova stated that she views this as part of the fight for cleansing the country and the rule of law. For the People MP Juraj Seliga noted that the charges are an unprecedented move that destroys democracy in the state. Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad (OLaNO) also reacted to the charges against the two journalists, calling them unacceptable. "While Peter Toth obviously committed crimes for Kocner and others, and he continues to threaten, insult and slander other people on social networks - all of this while running around at large - journalists who have long fought against corruption and for justice in Slovakia have been senselessly charged," said Nad, adding that he supports Todova and Cikovsky.
According to the Dennik N daily, the charges pressed agaist Todova and Cikovsky are related to the revealing of Peter Toth's identity as a secret witness in the case of the murders of journalist Jan Kuciak and Martina Kusnirova, with Toth himself filing the criminal complaint. The charges state that Toth's security was compromised due to the revelation.