Embassy Events
Slovak and American Journalists Perform Crucial Role in Promoting Civic Values in Democracy
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To mark World Day of Press Freedom, Chargé d’ Affaires Keith Eddins on May 12 published in economic daily newspaper, Hospodárske Noviny, an opinion piece about the need for an unrestricted media in a democracry. He expressed his agreement with Thomas Jefferson, third U.S. President and author of the Declaration of Independence, who wrote that if he was to decide about having government without the press -- or having press without the government -- he would choose the second alternative. American newspapers, magazines, TV reporters and Internet bloggers can freely investigate and report wastefulness and fraud in the field of public finance or misuse of the government’s power. Slovak reporters also recently revealed facts of abuse of Roma children by policemen in Košice, which prompted the government to promise improvement in training of policemen. Extensive media coverage of the so-called “bulletin-board tender” similarly informed the public of illegal use of EU funds. It is evident, writes Eddins, that a “muckraker” or investigative press is as important now as it was 100 years ago.
