In a shocking turn of events, business journalist Tomáš Bakoš has decided to quit the Pravda daily, one of Slovakia's most prominent serious newspapers, after three years of service. Bakoš took to social media earlier this week to reveal that censorship was the driving force behind his decision to leave the publication. He stated, "I had to remove an entire paragraph from the article, in which I provided space for experts who criticised the government's changes to the Penal Code. I was not alone."
The revelation has sent shockwaves through the Slovakian media industry, raising concerns about the state of press freedom and the integrity of journalism in the country. Bakoš's departure comes amidst a series of similar incidents at Pravda, with several other journalists and commentators also citing censorship as their reason for leaving the daily.
Ľuboš Kamenistý, who has been serving as the editor-in-chief of Pravda since May 2022, previously ran the Plus 7 dní magazine, which is owned by the Penta financial group's News and Media Holding publishing house. His appointment to the top position at Pravda has been met with skepticism by some in the media industry, who question his commitment to editorial independence and journalistic integrity.
In addition to Bakoš, Pravda's in-house commentator Marián Repa also left the daily a few weeks ago, along with commentators and former left-wing politicians Boris Zala and Peter Weiss. The exodus of talent from the newspaper has raised alarm bells among media watchdogs and free speech advocates, who fear that censorship is becoming an increasingly common practice at Pravda.
According to omediach.com, more journalists are considering quitting Pravda, which is owned by Czech entrepreneur and politician Ivo Valenta. The situation has cast a dark shadow over the future of the daily, which has long been regarded as one of the most respected and influential newspapers in Slovakia.
Bakoš, for his part, has already secured a new position at Forbes magazine, where he is set to start in mid-June. His departure from Pravda is a significant loss for the daily, which has relied on his expertise and insights in the field of business journalism.
The controversy at Pravda comes at a time when press freedom is under threat in many parts of the world, with journalists facing increasing pressure from governments, corporations, and other powerful interests. The situation in Slovakia is particularly concerning, given the country's history of political instability and corruption.
As the media industry grapples with the challenges posed by censorship and other forms of interference, it is more important than ever for journalists to stand up for their principles and defend the integrity of their profession. The departure of Tomáš Bakoš and other journalists from Pravda is a stark reminder of the risks that come with speaking truth to power, and the need for a free and independent press in any democratic society.
