Politics and journalism in Slovenia: the questions of pressure and corruption

Cilj naše naloge je bil raziskati percepcije novinarjev in urednikov ter (nekdaj) zaposlenih na Komisiji za preprečevanje korupcije (KPK) glede potencialnih političnih vplivov in pritiskov nanje, glede njihovega dojemanja korupcije v slovenski politiki (predvsem v strankah SD, NSi, SDS in Levica) ter glede prepletov med polji novinarstva, politike in korupcije v Sloveniji. Za uresničitev tega cilja smo analizirali podatke, ki smo jih pridobili z lastnim anketnim vprašalnikom (odzive smo zbrali leta 2019 z vzorcem 103 novinarjev in urednikov) ter na podlagi intervjujev, ki smo jih izpeljali med letoma 2019–2023 z novinarji, uredniki ter (nekdaj) zaposlenimi na KPK (n = 27). Raziskali smo tudi podatke prijav napadov na novinarsko delovanje iz spletne baze Društva novinarjev Slovenije (DNS) (n = 60). Na podlagi analiz opisanega vzorca smo ugotovili, da novinarji in uredniki, vključeni v raziskavo, dojemajo korupcijo v Sloveniji kot pogosto in intenzivno – pri tem stranke, ki jih dojemajo kot starejše, smatrajo za tendenčno bolj koruptivne. Načeloma se zavedajo potencialnega vpliva, ki ga lahko imajo (tesnejši) odnosi s politiki na njihovo poročanje, čeprav zavedanje tega vpliva nekoliko šepa, ko gre za odnos med vprašanim novinarjem oz. urednikom in politiki, s katerimi so sami spletli tesen odnos. Večina novinarjev in urednikov je prav tako pretežno kritična do poklicnih prehodov iz politike v novinarstvo. Kot obliko vplivov oz. pritiskov nase s strani politikov so novinarji in uredniki največkrat omenjali verbalne napade preko socialnih omrežij. Večinoma so se strinjali, da pripadniki vseh političnih strank nanje ne vplivajo enako. Pri tem se je večina strinjala, da so vplivi oz. pritiski stranke SDS bolj »neprefinjeni« oz. »surovi«, vplivi oz. pritiski strank SD, Levica in NSi pa bolj »prefinjeni« oz. »blagi«. Na podlagi odgovorov vseh intervjuvancev sklepamo, da novinarji oz. uredniki in (nekdaj) zaposleni na KPK vzdržujejo pretežno dobre odnose. Prav tako večina intervjuvancev meni, da je KPK »brezzobi tiger« in da je neodvisnost te institucije odvisna predvsem od njenega vodstva. Zaključimo lahko, da so politični vplivi in pritiski na novinarsko delo in na delo KPK v Sloveniji resen ter večplasten problem, ki se potencialno odseva v pogostosti in intenzivnosti korupcije v Sloveniji, prav tako pa tudi v sami percepciji korupcije v očeh slovenske javnosti.The aim of our thesis was to investigate the perceptions of journalists, editors and (former) employees of the Commission for Prevention of Corruption (KPK) regarding potential political influences and pressures on them, their perceptions of corruption in Slovenian politics (especially in the SD, NSi, SDS and Levica parties) and the intertwining of the fields of journalism, politics and corruption in Slovenia. To achieve this objective, we analysed data obtained through a questionnaire (collected in 2019 with a sample of 103 journalists and editors) and through interviews conducted between 2019 and 2023 with journalists, editors and (former) employees of the KPK (n = 27). We also analysed data on reports of attacks on journalists\u27 work by journalists and editors from the online database of the Slovenian Journalists\u27 Association (DNS) (n = 60). Based on the analysis of the sample described above, we found that the journalists and editors included in the survey perceive corruption in Slovenia as frequent and intense – with parties perceived as older tending to be more corrupt. Essentially, they are aware of the potential impact (closer) relationships with politicians can have on their reporting, although there is a slight lack of awareness of this impact when it comes to the relationship between the journalist/editor interviewed and the politicians with whom they have a close relationship. Most journalists and editors are also overwhelmingly critical of career transitions from politics to journalism. The most frequently mentioned form of influence/pressure exerted on them by politicians were verbal attacks via social networks. Most journalists and editors agreed that they are not influenced in the same way by members of all political parties. The majority agreed that the influence/pressure from the SDS party is more »unsubtle" or »crude«. While they described the influence/pressure from the parties SD, Levica and NSi as more »subtle« or »mild«. Based on the answers of all interviewees, we conclude that journalists and editors are mostly in good professional relations with employees of the KPK. However, the majority of interviewees consider the KPK a »toothless tiger«, and they believe the independence of this institution depends mainly on its leadership. In conclusion, political influence and pressure on the work of journalists and the KPK in Slovenia is a serious and multifaceted problem, which is potentially reflected in the frequency and intensity of corruption in Slovenia, as well as in the perception of corruption in the eyes of the Slovenian public