VIENNA, 2 June 2021 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, today expressed her concern about the ongoing suspension of public funding for the Slovenian Press Agency (STA).

According to reports, the STA has had its financing suspended by the Slovenian Government Communication Office (UKOM) for more than four months over a contractual dispute. This is reportedly the second time that the STA has been subjected to funding cuts for its public services by UKOM since the end of last year.

“The repeated suspension places the STA in a precarious state of limbo, threatening the very existence and operational stability of it as an essential public good in delivering reliable, pluralistic and quality information in a democratic society,” Ribeiro said. “I urge the authorities of Slovenia to reach a sustainable solution and reinstate funding, as prescribed by law, without further delay, to enable the STA to continue its important work.”

Ribeiro said that she will continue to follow closely related developments in the country and reiterated the great importance of the independence of, and adequate funding for, public service media, ensuring implementation of OSCE commitments regarding media freedom.