What changes has Ján Kuciak's death brought?
One year after the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, four suspects are awaiting trial while a fifth has been arraigned as a possible contractor. The investigations are still underway and parliament is planning a new press law that gives politicians the right to a counter-declaration. The fight for a just Slovakia must not end here, the press warns.
The fight will go on
Peter Bárdy, editor-in-chief of Aktuality.sk, the website where Ján Kuciak worked, marks the day with the words:
“One year ago they hit us all hard. They made it clear that they could do what they liked, even murder with impunity. ... After the killing we promised we wouldn't give up. And we haven't. Sometimes it's easier, sometimes it's harder. Today we will weep together and remember. On the part of my colleagues and myself I can say that just as we stand with Ján and his fiancée Martina, so we stand with all those who fight against corruption and for a just Slovakia. We owe it not only to Ján and Martina, we owe it to you - our readers - and to all of us.”
Politicians haven't learned any lessons
Journalists still live dangerously in Slovakia today, Newsweek Polska laments:
“True, the demonstrations in Slovakia after the death of the young couple put an end to Robert Fico's government. But local journalists point out that there is still much to be done. Slovakian politicians are ignoring plans for amending the press law which would give journalists more protection. On the contrary, they are trying to push through legislation that would make it easier for them to take reprisals against accusations on the part of the press. Although the presumed murderer of Ján Kuciak and his fiancée has been arrested the investigations are still underway and the question of who's behind the killing remains unanswered.”